Every year, students from across the North East compete in a live inter-college catering competition at the Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park. This year, catering and hospitality students from Newcastle College took home 17 gold medals, 9 silver and 4 bronze, as well as being crowned overall college winners.
Curriculum Leader Phil Pringle said: “This is a huge achievement for our students in what is a very tough competition. Students plan and prepare for a variety of events, including a team event with tutors, where a list of ingredients is provided on the morning of the competition and students are expected to prepare, cook and serve a three-course meal for two. The students and staff put a lot of hours into preparing for this, so it’s fantastic to see it pay off.
“Getting involved in competitions such as NECTA has great benefits and has a huge impact on students’ ability and confidence. This helps create a more rounded student and improves their culinary skills which will be a huge advantage when they’re applying for jobs in the future.”
Phillip Ho, a Level 5 Culinary Arts student, won gold in the team event alongside Georgina Hunter, currently studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
The team event involves students working with one of their college instructors to create a three-course meal live on stage. Phillip, 20, prepared the dishes with Tony Riches, Chef Instructor at the college's Chefs’ Academy, while Georgina, 18, took on the role of front of house, presenting each course, setting up the table and pouring the drinks.
Georgina also won gold in the coffee barista class and silver in mixology, while Phillip took bronze place in his Level 5 culinary arts show piece.
Congratulations to all of the Newcastle College winners, listed in full below:
Main NECTA events
Isobelle Dawson - Level 1 Professional Cookery - Gold in Barista
Stacey Barber - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold in Vegetarian dish
Kamila Wroblewska - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold in Larder Chicken Preparation
Jessica Watson - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold in Chicken Main Course
Jessica Watson - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold For Best Dressed Student
Charlie Burke - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold for Larder Fish Preparation
Charlie Crichton-Rutter - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Gold for Knife Skills Preparation
Georgina Hunter - Level 3 Professional Cookery - Gold for Front of House in Team Event
Aaron Swan - Level 3 Professional Cookery - Gold in Future Chef
Kian Marshall - Level 5 Culinary Arts - Gold for Hot Starter
Phillip Ho - Level 5 Culinary Arts - Gold for Kitchen in Team Event
Paige Belle - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Silver in Barista
Matthew Knox - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Silver for Larder Fish Preparation
David McGowan - Level 2 Professional Cookery - Silver in Restaurant Table Setting
Georgina Hunter - Level 3 Professional Cookery - Silver in Mixology
Hannah Warne - Level 4 Culinary Arts - Silver for Mille-Feuille
Jasmine Watts - Level 4 Culinary Arts - Silver for Hot Dessert
Angela Newsome - Level 4 Culinary Arts - Silver in Sugar Craft Cake Decorating
Apprenticeship Class (a taste of Northumberland)
Joseph Spowart - Level 2 Commis Chef Apprentice - Gold Award
Liam Cooper - Level 2 Commis Chef Apprentice - Silver Award
Max Thorpe - Level 2 Commis Chef Apprentice - Bronze Award
Level 4 Culinary Arts - Main Course Display
Alena Williams - Gold Award
Letitia Sanderson - Silver Award
Ami-Ella Patrick - Bronze Award
Level 4 Culinary Arts Patisserie Centre Piece
Hannah Warne - Gold Award
Martin Bukin - Silver Award
Lewis Bond - Bronze Award
Level 5 Culinary Arts - Terrine Class
Amy Hobkirk - Gold Award
Jenny Beamish-Young - Silver Award
Phillip Ho - Bronze Award
Level 5 Culinary Arts - Patisserie Display
Aimee Scott - Gold Award
Leah Meldrum - Silver Award
Ellie Arkless - Bronze Award