Emma Walter and Connor McAndrew scoop first place at catering competition

Emma Walter and Connor McAndrew, at the PACE Learning & Development Forum in Nottingham

Emma Walter and Connor McAndrew, catering students, both 19 and from Rochdale, scooped first place for their main course at a competition held during the PACE (Professional Association for Catering Education) Learning & Development Forum in Nottingham.

Emma was also crowned Best Student in the competition, being recognised for helping out students on the other teams and for being so dedicated throughout the competition.

Colleges from around the country battled it out in the competition, which ran for the first time at the Forum this year, and Level 3 catering students Emma and Connor won with a dish of Goosnargh chicken breast, spiced confit samosa, puy lentils, butternut squash fondant with baby leeks and baby carrots in a red wine sauce.

The triumphant duo then went on to prepare and cook for 180 guests at the PACE Gala Dinner.

Emma and Connor were awarded a trophy and a signed Heston Blumenthal cook book and Emma also won a Kindle.

Their tutor Bryan Townson said: “I’m so proud of Emma and Andrew for winning today and am really pleased with the effort and progress of both these enthusiastic students.”