SERCs Young Chef competes at World’s Biggest Culinary Competition

20-year-old David Haggan recently travelled to India with his mentor Brian Magill to represent Northern Ireland at the Young Chef Olympiad in a cook-off that lasted four days.

Over 67 talented culinary students from across the globe flew to India to represent their country and be in with the chance of winning the grand title and a cash prize of $10,000.

David finished an impressive fourteenth out of 45 competitors.

David explains: “I am passionate about food, using fresh local products, and also in developing my skills and knowledge.”

David studies level 3 Patisserie and Confectionary student at the Colleges Bangor campus.

Young Chef Olympiad is organized by India’s largest hotel school chain, International Institute of Hotel Management and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, and took place across the four cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.

SERC Deputy Head of School for Business, Hospitality and Tourism Paul Mercer said “Young Chef Olympiad is an excellent platform for David to showcase his talent and also network and be introduced to different cuisines, especially Indian. It will enhance his culinary knowledge and will bring food to the forefront along with new and inventive culinary styles and practices which will look great on his CV and enrich his studies.

“Both David and Brian have worked extremely hard preparing for the competition. Even being selected for it David has proved himself a formidable talent in the culinary arts industry.”

The event attracted brands like Hyatt Hotels, ITC Hotels, Leela Hotels, Swissotel, Novotel as the Hospitality partners along with other brand sponsors.

The event was covered by World Media and judged by a senior team of Chefs from across the globe.

SERC provides a range of full and part-time courses designed to give students ‘the edge’. To find out how SERC can help you ‘get the edge’ call 0345 600 7555, visit www.serc.ac.uk or find us on Facebook, search: SERC.