Cheshire College – South & West’s Hospitality and Catering students saw huge success at the Welsh International Culinary Championships, with several competitors winning gold awards in their respective categories, and one of the College lecturers winning the National Chef of Wales prize. 

Held every February, the Welsh International Culinary Championships is a four-day showcase of world class chefs from across the UK and the world. Hosted by Coleg Llandrillo at its Rhos-on-Sea Campus from 21-23 February 2023, the championships are designed to celebrate the nation’s culinary skills and rich variety of quality food. The popular event is packed with exciting competitions for learner, junior and senior chefs and waiting staff. 

It was an extremely rewarding day for Cheshire College, with students from both Crewe and Ellesmere Port Campuses winning awards in categories such as the Restaurant Challenge, Main Course Flambé and Fruit Cuts. Level 2 Professional Cookery student Sharna Fraser, who won the silver award for the Major Challenge, as well as Best in Class, will be progressing to the Major Challenge Final next month. 

Hospitality & Catering Lecturer Matthew Smith, accompanied by Level 2 student Amy Philips as his commis, also won the coveted National Chef of Wales award, after competing against eight rival chefs. Smith created a bespoke menu for a three-course dinner for twelve people, using largely locally sourced Welsh ingredients. 

Dhesi OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Cheshire College, remarked: “Students and staff should be extremely proud of what they achieved at the Welsh International Culinary Championships. As always, they excelled under challenging, competitive conditions and produced some outstanding work. All the competitors are a credit to Cheshire College – South & West, and we are thrilled for their success.” 

Hospitality students at Cheshire College can refine their skills through their involvement with the award-winning Academy West restaurants, based at the Ellesmere Port and Crewe Campuses.     

Cheshire College are now accepting applications for September 2023 for those interested in studying a diverse range of subjects, designed to provide students with combined skills and knowledge that will fully prepare them for the next exciting stage of their life.   

Full List of Winners   

Matthew Smith (supported by Amy Philips) – National Chef of Wales 

Simona Kristof – Restaurant Challenge (Gold) 

Luke Smith – Restaurant Challenge (Gold) (Best in Class) 

Lani Cohen – Main Course Flambé (Gold) (Best in Class) 

Cameron Yearn – Main Course Flambé (Silver) 

Beth Scott – Main Course Flambé (Bronze) 

Poppy Edwards – Fruit Cuts (Gold) 

Sophie Birkett – Fruit Cuts (Gold) 

Sharna Fraser – Major Challenge (Silver) (Best in Class) 

Ashleigh Firth – Fruit Cuts (Silver) 

Olivia James – Risotto Challenge (Bronze) 

Olivia James – Major Challenge (Bronze) 

Simona Kristof – Best Restaurant Class Award  

Amanda Salters – Fish & Sea Food Challenge (Silver) 

Nathan Price – Cold Desserts (Bronze) 

Kai Rogers – Fruit Cuts (Silver) 

Visit www.ccsw.ac.uk to find out more.