A CATERING student is glowing with pride after winning a prestigious culinary competition in Venice and a £10,000 oven for her college.
Darlington College student Charlotte Madley was one of eight contestants from 47 UK colleges, to reach the final of the CombiGuru contest, hosted by Italian oven manufacturers Unox.
Ironically, the 18-year-old, of Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, pipped the opposition with her coffee dessert, a flavour she doesn’t enjoy herself.
NVQ Level 2 diploma in professionally cookery student Charlotte had just three hours to prepare, cook and serve a two course meal of main and dessert dishes from a box of mystery ingredients.
She was judged by Unox chefs on her preparation, cooking techniques, plating of the dishes and taste of the food.
“Apparently my dessert of a coffee tart, with baked custard and a coffee Anglaise, tipped me over for the win, with what judges considered was the best use of the secret ingredient, as I had used it in every element of the dish,” she said.
“I had different strengths of coffee in each part, ranging from milk to espresso, which gained me an extra three bonus points. I am now trying to learn to like coffee but it’s still not my go-to drink, which is hot chocolate.”
Charlotte, a former pupil at Wensleydale School, also cooked a chicken ballotine and won for herself a set of knives and a pizza course in Birmingham.
“I didn’t think I would win and as they called out second and third places, which I agreed with, I couldn’t figure out who would be first,” said Charlotte, who also works at the Coach House restaurant, Middleton Lodge.
“Then, when they said I had won, I was shocked and thought it must be a mistake. I was so happy and proud of myself. It was worth all the hard work I had put into it. We then had a tour of Venice which was amazing.
“My mum was a chef and tried to get me interested but I always resisted. Then COVID hit and I started baking, decided to go to Darlington College and here I am two years on. I’d like to continue progressing and one day even work abroad.”
Dawn added: “When Charlotte phoned me to say she had won we were all absolutely delighted. She works so hard and thoroughly deserves to succeed. We are also thrilled to be getting a Unox oven which will help students for years to come hone their culinary skills.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.