Top Chefs Cook A Devon Chefs’ Lunch at City College Plymouth

Top Devon Chefs and the ‘Foie Gang’ gathered in the kitchens of City College Plymouth to cook a five-course delectable feast with the students for 80 hospitality industry professionals, raising over £1000 for The Chefs’ Forum Educational Foundation!

Elly WentworthOrganised by The Chefs’ Forum, the lunch, sponsored by Bragard, Total Produce, West Country PGI, Foie Royale, Major International, Koppert Cress, Synergy Grill, TTW Associates, Two Brothers Foods, Santa Maria, Prowrap, Owens Coffee and St Austell Wines saw six top chefs come together to produce a stunning ‘pay what you can’ lunch to raise funds for young chefs and hospitality professionals aged 14-25.

The event saw chefs from The Notley, The Angel, Brend Hotels and Lewtrenchard Manor join forces to inspire and mentor young chefs and front of house professionals at City College Plymouth.

Karen Dorow, Faculty Director at City College Plymouth said:

Karen Dorow“It was great for our students and staff to be involved in such a worthwhile event.  The Chefs’ Forum events are a great opportunity for us to showcase the excellent calibre of young chefs and hospitality professionals-to-be at our college.  Raising money to help our students and their peers at other colleges make their way in industry is a truly great cause and provides a bolster to help them with equipment, travel and accommodation when they secure their first jobs.”

Elly Wentworth, herself City College Plymouth alumni was extremely impressed with her brigade of student chefs and confirmed that he would be happy to work with them in her kitchen and is looking to source an apprentice from City College Plymouth!

Abbie Milliner, Hospitality & Catering Level 2 student at the college really enjoyed working with the chefs and said:

Abie and Elly“It’s very interesting to have all of these great chefs in the college today.  It is really inspiring to see how they work and what the food they produce. Today was amazing and a real inspiration for me.  Having Elly Wentworth at my college was the highlight for me and I loved watching her in Masterchef: The Professionals”

The Chefs’ Forum works with catering colleges on a UK-wide basis to forge valuable links between hospitality students, employers and suppliers.

Catherine Farinha, Founder of The Chefs’ Forum added:

Lunch!“It is of the utmost importance that students are introduced to inspiring chefs in industry, the best produce, latest equipment and corresponding cooking techniques whilst training to ensure learning at college truly represents the professional kitchen and vice versa – There was a great buzz about the Devon Chefs’ Lunch which was greatly enjoyed by all who attended”.

This Chefs’ Lunch saw top chefs cooking a course each whilst mentoring students. The lineup comprised  Jamie Coleman, Dez Turland, Elly Wentworth, Tom Browning, Jack Blumenthal and University of West London chef lecturer, Jonathon Bowers.  The skilled chefs turned the finest local produce and sponsored ingredients into a range of fabulous dishes.Dez meat

The fabulous dishes were then tasted by the industry guests and the room fell silent with overwhelming approval!

Brend Hotels PR and Marketing Chef Dez Turland said:

“It was fantastic to be at the event and the food was outstanding.  The Chefs’ Forum Educational Foundation is an extremely worthy cause and one that will help young chefs make their way into industry.  To learn that we collectively raised £1020 cooking this lunch today is truly amazing. Top chefs worked as a team with the students and came together to support the next generation”.

Photography by: www.jamesaphotography.co.uk