Three teenagers from Suffolk have made it through to the final stages of a national cooking and hospitality competition.
The talented trio from Suffolk New College have navigated two tough rounds in the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year contest.
Having successfully progressed through the heats and a semi-final at Lainston House in Winchester, where they cooked and served three dishes and a selection of drinks, they will now travel to Sheffield in July this year, where they hope to win the top prize.
Saxon Barnwell, 18, from Helmingham, is studying on a level 2 professional cookery course. His role was as a sommelier and front of house expert. Reflecting on getting this far, Saxon said: “It’s been a great experience meeting people from across the country, talking to judges and massive names in industry. I’ve got a lot out of it. We put in months of work, and now we have a chance to win the top prize. We are going to leave everything on the table (to claim top spot).”
Sophie Robb, 18, from Badingham, is on a level 3 professional cookery course. Sophie said, “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 some top tips. I just want to have fun and get better as a chef, learn, absorb and get as much out of it as I can.”
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.”