A trio of talented creative culinary crusaders from Suffolk New College (SNC) are putting all their eggs into one basket in the hope of being crowned Restaurant Team of the Year.
Originally set up in 2012, the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year competition sees two chefs and one front of house expert go up against other colleges in the country.
Having successfully progressed through the heats, the SNC group will now be one of seven teams in the semi-finals, where they will cook, serve three dishes and a selection of drinks they have created themselves, when they travel to Lainston House in Winchester this week.
Saxon Barnwell, 18, from Helmingham, is studying on a level 2 professional cookery course. His role is to be a sommelier and be front of house. Saxon said, “I’m confident we will have one of the best menus. It’s great fun, and it helps you learn by being involved in the competition.”
Sophie Robb, 18, from Badingham, is on a level 3 professional cookery course. Sophie said, “I’ll be cooking the starter and main course. I’ve learnt a lot of new skills. I hope that we succeed and go really far. This can really put us in the shop window. Winning this, I think, will help us get higher up in the industry.”
Jasper Mardell, 18, from Ipswich, is on a level 3 patisserie course and will be cooking the dessert. He said: “My friends were involved last year and they have given us all some top tips. It would be so cool to win. I just want to have fun and get better as a chef, learn, absorb and get as much out of it as I can.”
And on the college Jasper added: “It’s been the best time in education out of my entire life.”
Daniel Russell-Poole is supporting the team in his role as a chef lecturer at the college. He said, “Our students have been working incredibly hard. They are a great team and this is a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their talents against some of the best young chefs in the country.”