Shropshire Students impress chefs in Rick Stein's restaurant

A group from Telford College of Arts and Technology travelled to Cornwall, where they were shown around one of Rick Stein's fish restaurants.

The TV chef was unavailable to meet the group but his expert sous chef Dan Hine showed them the ropes.

The town of Padstow has been nicknamed Padstein because of the number of businesses the chef has opened up there.

Sue Hayward, catering and hospitality co-ordinator at the college, said the two groups of students showed off their creative cookery skills in a live cook-off when they were challenged to create a two-course meal on a very small budget.

She said: "I was so impressed with the finished dishes. The students were professional and created very tasty meals which would have not been out of place on our restaurant's menu.

"I am immensely proud of the students and their willingness to get involved in all aspects of this trip.

"They have represented the college in such a positive light, and have grown in confidence as a result."

It was not all work for the group – they went surfing and visited the Eden Project.

The students help run The Orange Tree restaurant at the college, which is open to the public every Friday lunchtime during term-time from noon to 1.30pm.

For more information about catering and hospitality courses at the college in Wellington, call Sue on (01952) 642537 or visit www.tcat.ac.uk