Cheshire College learner reaches the final of the Young Risotto Chef of the Year Competition! #News

Victoria Hayes
22nd February 2022

Talented young Level 1 Introduction to Professional Cookery learners Amanda Salters, 17, and Nathan Price, 17, have wowed judges during the semi-finals of the Young Risotto Chef of the Year 2022 Competition.

Sponsored by Riso Gallo, the competition is open to young chefs aged 17-23 in all stages of cookery, whether it be a young person currently in education, or an individual that has gained employment within a professional catering environment.

Joining Cheshire College four months ago after studying at South Wirral High School, Amanda enrolled on to a Level 1 Cookery course and aspires to progress to Levels 2 and 3. At the semi-finals she created a mushroom risotto and received great praise from the judges, who commented upon her excellent work and provided her with development points for improvement.

Amanda said: “I found the whole experience really fun. I was surprised that I managed to reach the semi-finals as it is the first competition that I have ever competed in. It was great to get such amazing feedback from the judges, it was a really good experience and I hope to take part in another competition in the future. “

Learner Nathan found success in his beetroot risotto, defeating 50 other regional finalists in his first-ever attempt in the competition, making it through to the Grand Final which will see 12 regional winners compete for first prize.

Nathan, who joined the College in September 2021 after completing his GCSEs at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, said: “I have only been on my cookery course for four months and I’m really enjoying it. It’s very exciting to learn new skills and dishes. The facilities we get to learn in are amazing and my tutors are incredibly supportive. It was them that recommended to apply for a competition, and I decided on the Young Risotto Chef of the Year as it is such a fun dish to make. I have been practising a beetroot risotto up until now and I’m really excited to compete in the next round!”

The Grand Final will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, with the first-place prize winner of the competition securing an opportunity to travel to Italy for three-day’s work in the two Michelin starred Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia with Fabio Pisani, working with Allessandro Negrini and their team, as well as a tour of the Riso Gallo Rice Mill and a selection of food.

Andrea Huby, Assistant Director for Hair, Beauty and Hospitality, said: “It’s such a great achievement that Nathan and Amanda reached the regional semi-finals after such a short period of time on Cheshire College’s Cookery course. They were up against professional chefs with significant experience, yet their talent has led to success thus far. It’s fantastic that Nathan is now progressing to the Grand Final in April, he should be very proud of himself.”

Applications are now open for courses starting in September 2022. To find out more about studying Hospitality and Catering courses at Cheshire College, visit ccsw.ac.uk or register for the College’s next Open Evening which will be taking place on Tuesday 1^st March between 5:30pm – 7pm.

Find out more about the competition here.