A YOUNG student chef from Buxton & Leek College is aiming high after beating the best in the North West to earn a gold medal.
Nineteen-year-old Jordan Hemsil, from Ashbourne, came back from St Helen’s College in Merseyside this month bearing The Eric Walker Cup, a Gold Medal and the title North West Commis Chef of the Year 2016 in the regional contest run by The Association Culinaire Francaise. He beat ten other competitors from colleges all over the North West region after demonstrating his skill by producing two dishes: a starter of Black Sea Bream with Langoustine and Mussels in a Shellfish broth and a main course of Pigeon with Fondant Potatoes, Savoury Cabbage, Butternut squash crisps and puree.
The happy young chef said: ““My tutors inspired me to push myself and compete in the competition and it paid off because it has upped my confidence and made me think about looking into a career in fine dining restaurants when I leave college.”
Jordan, a full-time student on the Advanced Professional Cookery Level 3 course at the College’s Buxton Campus, represented Buxton & Leek College alongside fellow student Natalie Williamson,19, from New Mills, who entered the pastry competition with a dessert of Plum and Frangipane Tart with a crumble topping, Amaretto Ice Cream and a Nougatine Sugar Basket.
Chef Lecturer Mark Hudd said: ““Both students conducted themselves in a professional manner throughout and did both themselves and the College extremely proud. They will both go far in their chosen careers and this competition will open many doors of opportunity for them both.
“As a result of our College’s success in the competition, we have been asked to host the prestigious Association of Culinaire Francaise contest here in Buxton next year.”
Both Jordan and Natalie also received certificates of Merit and the judges commented on their skills and professionalism throughout the competition.
