Hospitality student Amy Hoskins is set to jet off to India to represent Wales in a prestigious international competition for young chefs – the International Young Chef Olympiad 2017.
Following a competition between five of the College’s Hospitality and Catering students, 21-year-old Amy from Cardiff’s meal was chosen. The learners had to prepare a fish course, a chicken course and a bavaroi dessert – coming up with their own dishes based on a basket of ingredients to choose from.
Her meal was chosen by a judging panel including Celtic Manor Culinary Director Peter Fuchs, manager of Culinary Team Wales. Amy’s trip to India will be sponsored by the Cardiff Hoteliers’ Association.
“I can’t quite believe I’m actually going to go to India to take part in this competition,” Amy said. “I never thought it was going to be me – it’s an amazing opportunity and I am really looking forward to it. I hope I do my country proud!”
CAVC Deputy Head of Catering, Hospitality and Food Manufacturing Eric Couturier said: “This represents a life-changing opportunity for Amy. For her to be able to demonstrate her skills, creativity and flair among some of the best young chefs from all over the world will be a fantastic experience for her – we all are very proud of Amy and wish her the very best of luck in this competition.”
Margaret Waters, General Manager of the Park Plaza and Chair of the Cardiff Hoteliers’ Association, said: “Cardiff Hoteliers’ Association are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor this really prestigious competition. As an association we are very dedicated to encouraging young talented people into our industry and we feel that this international cookery competition is a fantastic chance for one of young student chefs to represent Wales and have the experience of a lifetime.
“We know it will be an invaluable opportunity to boost the career aspirations of the young person involved. Further, we believe opportunities such as this will go a long way to attract other young people into a career in catering and in the long term help Cardiff and Vale College to establish the pipeline of talent in chefs that is so desperately needed at present.”
The sponsorship marks a further element of the valued engagement CAVC has with the Cardiff Hoteliers’ Association in order to ensure the College shapes its Hospitality provision for the hospitality sector to meet industry needs. The Association sits on CAVC’s Catering, Tourism and Hospitality Employer Board, and they have provided feedback on CAVC’s training for the hospitality sector as well as the introduction of new initiatives such as the ATA Shared Apprenticeship programme.
Now in its third year, the International Young Chef Olympiad sees the best upcoming culinary talent from across the world compete in a range of cooking tasks. The 2016 Olympiad was based across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata and saw young chefs from 11 countries compete in the final for the trophy and prize money of $10,000.
