WKC student wins Chinese Masterchef 2009 competition

The Chinese Masterchef Competition, now in its sixth year celebrates the spirit of Chinatown and its first class cuisine in the City of Westminster. The competition also aims to support local businesses. Competitors were judged on skill, creativity, originality and good hygiene practices and the judges included Nancy Lam, Celebrity Chef; Nigel Barden, BBC Radio 2 Food & Wine Journalist; Steve Harrison, Assistant Director, Westminster City Council; and Edward Eidler, Founder of Jing Tea. Andrew won the competition with his creative menu and he was assisted by fellow Westminster Kingsway College student Ben Ford. With winning the title of Chinese Masterchef 2009, Andrew Wong of Kyms Restaurant in Victoria, receives a prize of £1,000, a day's training at Billingsgate fish market and a hamper. Andrew said: "I am really enjoying studying for my Foundation Degree in Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College. We were actually in class when I was told that I had won the competition. I couldn't believe it. I drew inspiration from all forms of Chinese cooking, including my grandmother's recipe for pickled cucumber." Norman Fu, Westminster Kingsway Chef Lecturer, who helped to co-ordinate the event said: "This is the sixth year that the competition has been run in conjunction with the City of Westminster Council and the London Chinatown Restaurant Association. It shows how different bodies can work together to achieve cohesiveness and a sense of purpose. This event would not have been possible without the support of the Westminster Kingsway College Culinary Arts Team and senior staff."