The students, from South Thames College, were joined by Albert Roux in the college’s Hospitality and Catering Academy ahead of presenting menu pitches at the Investec Derby Festival 2015.
Albert Roux OBE said: I was certainly impressed with the students’ work and the imagination that went into the courses. Quite honestly, the food could have been served in many restaurants throughout the UK and France.
Working in teams, students presented dishes from their menus which included beetroot and squash ravioli with a goat’s cheese foam, fillet of steak with peppercorn ice cream and a popcorn-infused pannacotta.
Morgan Thomas, Level 2 Professional Cookery student, said: “When I started this course I never thought for a second someone like Albert Roux would try my food throughout my career, let alone while I was still learning at college.”
The team with the winning menu will be given the opportunity to cook their menu with the Jockey Club Catering team at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Dishes will then be served by their classmates at Investec’s hospitality suite, hosting more than 1,000 people.
The teams presented their ideas to the judging panel last week, Friday 24th October, with successful students taking part in a cook-off in the following stage. The winners will be announced in early December 2014.
Steve Cannell, Head of the Hospitality and Catering Academy at South Thames College, said: “It was a real honour to host Albert Roux at the Academy and for him to share his expertise with our students. It’s a day they’ll never forget and his feedback has undoubtedly boosted their confidence for the competition pitch and inspired them to pursue their ambitions beyond.”
Jockey Club Catering manages the catering at Epsom Downs Racecourse and is a joint venture between Compass Group UK & Ireland and The Jockey Club. The Investec Derby Festival is considered the greatest flat race in the world and expects to attract over 100,000 visitors each year.