College student's national competition success with Italian-themed menu

Ruaridh, a student on the Shropshire specialist college’s Hospitality & Food pathway, was awarded a bronze medal at the World Skills Foundation competition in Manchester.

The annual World Skills Foundation competitions provide an opportunity for students to showcase skills in a range of vocational subjects.

Ruaridh, known as Ru, made it through qualification rounds to join the catering competition finals.

The first round was an online test, he then made it through to the national qualifiers, where he cooked in the college’s commercial kitchen at Gobowen-based Derwen College while being watched by judges over Microsoft Teams.

His skills impressed the panel enough to qualify for the national finals in Manchester.

Ru was accompanied to the competition in Manchester by Hospitality & Food pathway lead David Thompson-Pearce and teacher George Taylor.

Competitors were required to prepare and present two portions of two separate brunch dishes with a European theme.

Ru opted for an Italian menu to reflect his love of the country, and focused on dishes suitable for vegetarians.

His dishes were an Italian Brunch Bruschetta - comprising toasted sourdough, goat’s cheese, scrambled egg, sundried tomatoes, basil, rocket, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, and vegetarian antipasti skewers - made of cherry tomatoes, pesto marinated mozzarella, ricotta and spinach tortellini, basil, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, garlic and chilli olives, rocket, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and parmesan shavings.

The competition showcased the abilities of over 400 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and students across more than 40 disciplines.

Ru, who is from London, said: “It was a long but brilliant day. I chose my menu because I love Italy and the food there. I enjoy visiting Italy on holiday with my family and have learnt to speak some Italian!”

David Thompson-Pearce said: “The finals saw more than 400 young people from across the UK compete in a series of vocational challenges to be named the best in the UK.

“We’re so proud of Ru. To qualify for the World Skills UK National finals was a fantastic achievement, and then to come away with a medal was outstanding.

“He demonstrated his menu planning and catering skills, remaining calm and collected in a high pressure competition environment. He represented Derwen College and our Hospitality and Food department brilliantly, and we are all incredibly proud of him.”