The occasion highlighted the gastronomic skills of Jockey Club Catering’s team, providing guests with the opportunity to sample signature regional dishes from the racecourses, including seared Cornish seabass, Cumbrian fell bred lamb and chocolate ganache.
Nick Campbell, Jockey Club Catering managing director, said: “Bringing together our highly talented catering teams in one room not only gave us the opportunity to bring to life the flavours, accents and artisans behind each racecourse, it also provided fantastic learning for everyone involved.
“I am incredibly proud to see how our teams have taken to the challenge we have set them. As hosts to some of the UK’s most established sporting events we know how important exceptional catering is to the guest experience and I am confident that visitors to our racecourses this year will be delighted with the results.”
The live cooking challenges kicked off with students from South Thames College taking part in a ‘cook and serve’ competition where they designed, created and delivered a full dining experience for the judges.
Paul Fisher, group managing director, Jockey Club Racecourses; Colin Bailey, managing director, Levy Restaurants UK and Dennis Hogan, managing director, Compass Group UK and Ireland, all competed against each other in an omelette challenge. The winner was Hannah Bevan from Sandown Park Racecourse, who made her omelette in 22 seconds.
The day culminated in the Jockey Club Catering Chefs Challenge, which saw four regional teams take to the stage to prepare a three course menu.
Jockey Club Catering Showcase Day Winners:
- South Thames College ‘cook & serve’ – Brian Harrow and Sarina Cole
- Junior Pasta Dish Challenge – South West, Scott Murray, Cheltenham Racecourse
- Jockey Club Catering Chefs Challenge – South West Region, Warren O’Connor, Tom Tafelski, Charlotte Spencer and Nigel Calvert, all from Cheltenham, Exeter, Warwick and Wincanton, respectively.
Jockey Club Catering is a venture partnership between Jockey Club Racecourses and Compass Group UK & Ireland.