North West Regional College staff and students have benefitted from work experience at Le Manoir since 2008 and now the two Michelin star hotel and restaurant is offering the Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Work Placement Award to give students who study at the six FE colleges in Northern Ireland the opportunity to achieve excellence in the kitchen.
North West Regional College held its regional heat this week for this unique competition, which will enable one lucky student chef from the province to work with some of the world’s finest chefs. The winner from North West Regional College was Joanne McCallion, a student on the NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery, who just edged ahead of her fellow competitors.
The judges, Brian McDermott, the Community Chef, and Walter Tsang, Head Chef and owner of Yoko Noodle Restaurant in Coleraine, were impressed by Joanne’s complex and ambitious three course menu. In just two and half hours Joanne produced a starter, Trio of Seafood, comprising Crab Brandad, Monkfish wrapped in Parma Ham, and a Scallop with Green Pea Puree and Hollandaise Sauce. This was followed by a tantalising main of Smoked Fillet of Beef accompanied by wilted spinach, wild mushroom and sweet potato cannelloni and a pancetta jus.
For her dessert course Joanne added a touch of magic serving her Chocolate Panna Cotta, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Brandy Snap and Cherry sorbet with a Pistachio Cream and Cherry Milkshake, on a bed of dry ice. The spectacular presentation of her dishes matched the exquisite flavours created by the 22 year old, and secured her a place in the Northern Ireland wide final which will be held in the College in May this year.
Joanne will compete against the five other college winners for a magnificent prize of 2 weeks Work Placement at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and a bursary of £300 towards travel costs. This tailor made kitchen placement will provide the winner with a one-off unique experience, and includes accommodation and mentorship from the staff at La Manoir. Joanne is hoping to be that overall winner who would follow in the footsteps of many of the world's finest chefs that Raymond Blanc has nurtured the talents of in his kitchens at Le Manoir, which is also the location for Raymond’s successful BBC series Kitchen Secrets.
During the regional heat the College also put its front of house students to the test, with a Hospitality Challenge judged by Anne Tsang and Jamie Shek of Yoko. The service award was won by Level 3 student Raymond Callaghan.
You can view the facebook photo gallery from the event here
