Ten students on the NVQ 2 International Cookery course planned, prepared and presented two exciting courses each to demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Their tasty menus consisted of a main course, which had to include a pulse ingredient (peas, beans or lentils) and a cold dessert using chocolate.

The competition took place in Huddersfield Centre's student catering kitchens on Monday (24 May). The students' efforts were judged by high-profile guest Barrington Douglas, owner of Huddersfield Caribbean restaurant Discovery Bay and Clary Wilson, Lecturer specialising in Asian Cuisine at Kirklees College.

After a very hot couple of hours in the kitchen, Krystel Ferneira emerged as the overall winner and was presented with her cash prize by Barrington.

Cynthia Matheson is the course tutor at Kirklees College. She said:

"Each year the students are given the chance to show off their preparation and cooking skills by taking part in the International NVQ 2 Catering competition. This opportunity has allowed the students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have learnt throughout their course.

As the course tutor I get my reward when watching each individual perform with increased confidence and competence, producing dishes at the highest standards.

The competition conditions and the tension of the judging process gave students the experience of pressure which they would work under in the real world of catering. We were delighted to have such a wonderful role model in the form of Barrington who took a morning out of his busy working day to come along, judge and give some words of encouragement!"

The cash prizes were being donated by the Post 16 Adult Learning and Skills Council.

Applications are now being accepted for the NVQ in International Cuisine which is just one of the many hospitality and catering courses on offer at the college.

All of the courses on offer at Kirklees College can be found using the online search facility on our homepage.