UoR Caterers win Gold at Blackpool
Monday, 23 March 2015
Darren Edwards and Krisztina Sztrimbely
'Competition was very tough and as always the standard very high, but 2015 has been a very successful event for the University of Reading.'
What a year it has been for the University of Reading catering team at the 2015 TUCO (The Universities Catering Organisation) competition in Blackpool.
This year saw the most entries we have ever sent from Reading, which meant the universities name and presence was visible throughout the two days. The competitions have categories which involve all aspects of the teams working in university catering and this spirit of inclusion was felt throughout the two days.
This year we entered six out of eight areas of competition and had great success in the Student sustainability and experience; Salon Culinaire; Bars and Coffee Baristo sections; and the highly competitive Chefs' Challenge.
The Chefs' Challenge is the flagship competition, where a team of two chefs work together to produce a three course meal from a mystery box of ingredients. It the fourth time we have competed in this competition, and our duo of Darren Edwards and Krisztina Sztrimbely (both pictured), the latter competing for the first time, won the very prestigious Gold Award.
We also performed well in many other categories and prizes were award to:
- Sustainable Initiative of the Year - Matt Tebbit
- Coffee Shop Cake - Clare Ringrose(Merit)
- Cupcake Challenge - Krisztina Sztrimbely(Merit)
- Cupcake Challenge - Alice Ringrose(Merit)
- Bread Display - Lucy Stokes(Bronze)
- Best signature cocktail - Laura McKenna for ‘Chilli gone Barmy' (and overall Silver)
"Competition was very tough and as always the standard very high, but 2015 has been a very successful event for the University of Reading. This is all down to the high calibre of catering staff we have here at the University and the commitment and effort they have put into what they do day in day out for students, staff and visitors".
Julie Frost, Executive Head Chef