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Pidy names ‘Revamp the Vol au Vent’ winner

20th Dec 2018 - 06:00
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Pastry specialist Pidy crowned Chloe Hammond from Milton Keynes College the winner of its 2018 Revamp the Vol au Vent competition.

Having impressed judges with her strawberry and raspberry ripple vol-au-vent, Hammond beat seven other finalists for the reigning title.


She said: “My aim was to combine everyone’s favourite desserts, often found at theme parks, festivals and markets all over the world, into one dish.

 

“I really wanted to concentrate on packing in as many different flavours and elements into the vol-au-vent as I could, by utilising the neutral base of the pastry.

 

“The raspberry and mint jam provides a slight sharpness against the sweet ganache and subtle mint flavour, while the finishing touch of a cinnamon glaze really added to the appearance, flavour and texture of the overall dish.

 

“I am so pleased to have won, especially because the quality across the board was exceptional and everyone interpreted the (street food) theme in a unique way.”

 

With a strict judging criteria, this year’s theme focussed on street food and competitors had to ‘revamp’ the traditional vol-au-vent as either a starter, main course or dessert. Judges also asked that final creations were as “creative and inventive as possible.”

 

The panel included: pastry chef Claire Clark of the Claire Clark Academy at Milton Keynes College (where the final took place); Robert Whittle, Pidy UK general manager; and last year’s winner, Marian Tandy.

 

They praised Hammond’s creation for its “traditional flavours presented in a new and innovative way” as well as her skill “producing a delicious dessert and really understood the brief and practicality of serving it in a street food environment.”

 

Whittle said: “Our young chefs are very talented and to witness what they have achieved during this competition has made me extremely proud.

 

“Each of the students really took the brief on board and created their own unique and delicious dish using the Pidy vol-au-vents.

 

“It’s an important aim for Pidy to connect with students and to be part of their journey into the industry. It’s inspiring to see the fresh, innovative ideas that the students produced from a challenging brief.”

 

This year’s finalists are as below: 

 

  • Winner Chloe Hammond, Milton Keynes College
  • Runner Up Rachel Able, London Geller College of Hospitality & Tourism, University of West London
  • Catherine Worley, North Hertfordshire College
  • Nicole Watt, North Hertfordshire College
  • William Sowden, Selby College
  • Kieran Rudolph, Loughborough College
  • Jihyeon Noh, London Geller College of Hospitality & Tourism, University of West London
  • Jaymie Phow, London Geller College of Hospitality & Tourism, University of West London

 

Written by
Edward Waddell