Final Call Issued for Country Range Student Chef Challenge Entries

With the deadline for entries rapidly approaching on the 30^th November, Country Range Brand Manager Vasita Jantabutara has issued a final call to student chefs and college lecturers looking to enter a team into this year’s prestigious competition, which is run in collaboration with the Craft Guild of Chefs.

The challenge requires teams of three full-time catering students to plan, prepare and cook a three-course, four-cover menu in 90 minutes, with the theme for this year focusing on how students can use classic techniques and skills to maximise the use of ingredients and reduce food wastage.

Student chefs and college lecturers wanting to enter a team are required to apply online via www.countryrangestudentchef.co.uk before the deadline at the end of the month.

Vasita Jantabutara said:

“Time is running out for student chefs and college lecturers to enter a team for this year’s competition and I’d urge anyone thinking of entering to do so before it’s too late. The Challenge provides young chefs with the perfect opportunity to improve and test themselves against the best and can add huge value to their CV’s and career prospects. A number of our previous entrants have gone on to work in top restaurants so it just shows how the Challenge can be a springboard for greater success.”

Once all the applications have been received, a paper judging stage will take place with successful teams then competing in Live Regional Heats that will take place in late January and early February.

The Live Grand Final will then take place at the Hospitality, Catering and Restaurant (HRC) Show, the UK’s largest foodservice and hospitality event, at London’s ExCel on Tuesday 3^rd March 2020 in front of an exhibition audience.

Country Range Student Chef Challenge

The Country Range Student Chef Challenge is seen by many as the pinnacle for catering students looking to showcase their culinary skills under competition conditions and has played a huge role in developing young chefs and talent around the UK.

Run in partnership with the Craft Guild of Chefs, who provide competition-standard judging and detailed feedback to the students, previous winning teams have been given the opportunity to compete at the Culinary Olympics and cook for the country’s leading chefs at the Craft Guild of Chefs Annual Awards.

Teams of three full-time catering students will be required to plan, prepare and present a three-course, four-cover meal in just 90 minutes. The cost per cover is £8 and the menu must include:

Starter – A flat fish, filleted and a sauce made from the bones. The dish must be served with appropriate garnish and must include one turned mushroom per portion

Main – Three bone loin of pork, the eye of the meat must be used. The trim is to be used for a separate element e.g. faggot, kebab or pie. The dish must be served with appropriate garnish including starch, vegetable and sauce

Dessert – A lemon tart with a modern twist

Applications, Timings and Deadlines

The challenge is now open to student chefs and college lecturers across the UK and Ireland to enter by visiting www.countryrangestudentchef.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 30^th November 2019.

The 2018/19 Challenge Winners

The 2018/19 Challenge saw Alan Coats, Ance Kristone and Andreau Talla help City of Glasgow College win the title for the second consecutive year in a hotly contested final at ScotHot, Scotland’s biggest food, drink and hospitality show. As part of their prize, the talented trio won a unique opportunity to undertake a work experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as being taken on a foodie tour of London which included a visit to the capital’s iconic Billingsgate Market.

About Country Range

With over 25 years of heritage servicing the UK and Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 13 independent wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Caterite Foodservice, Creed Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, EFG Foodservice, Harvest Fine Foods, Henderson Foodservice, Savona Foodservice, Savona Foodservice South West, Thomas Ridley Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice and Turner Price. 

In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also provides over 800 products, all developed exclusively for professional caterers under the Country Range brand. Covering grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food, Country Range is widely recognised by caterers as a trusted and reliable brand delivering consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour.