Perfectly crisp white chef jackets, cheeks cherry red, hat’s sat neatly on their heads. It’s a look that would grace the kitchen of any 5 star restaurant, combined with the warm, cheerful, greeting that is more ‘front of house’ than you might expect a group of level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma students at Darlington college.
But this is Darlington College all over. The students have the world at their fingertips and it shows through their determination to win the title of ‘smiliest’ endorsed college through the National Skills Academy Hospitality. This is Darlington’s second year running with the title and this year the students were lucky enough to experience amaster class from TV Chef Cyrus Todiwala (MBE).
Lee Humble is an inspired young student in his first year of college currently studying his level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma at Darlington College, endorsed for excellence by the National Skills Academy Hospitality. Lee is full of ambition and initiative as he managed to anticipate the cooking equipment needed to help Cyrus’s master class. He was on hand at all times to help with the preparing and cooking of Cyrus’s famous Indian cuisine.
From the early age of 12 Lee was cooking at home, including the Christmas day dinner for as many as 15. Lee has always had a passion for food and this was obvious due to his enthusiasm and attentionhe paid when listening and taking notes from Cyrus’s astounding knowledge of food.
Lee said; “When I finished school I got 13 GCSE’s, one which was food technology, where I focused on multi-cultural food. I thoughtthat Indian Cuisine was dishes like Tikka Masala, Korma and Jalfrezi.However after meeting Cyrus and experiencing this Master Class I have realised that Indian cuisineisn’t traditionally focused on saucy curries, but a blend of condiments and spices to create perfectly flavoured dishes.”
Lee is one of many from Darlington College who has ambition and drive to succeed in the hospitality industry.
Lee informed us of his future plans; “I love cooking and although my family keep telling me I’ve chosen the wrong career this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I love creating dishes and I want to become the best that I can and develop my own style and eventually move to Australia and become the head chef of an amazing restaurant.”
David McHattie, CEO, The National Skills Academy Hospitality says, “We were lucky enough to visit the college on the 8th September and experiencean excellentfour coursedinner as part of the Young Chef Young Waiter regional competition. It wasimpressive, the flavours and combinations were fantastic, whilst the front of house staff delivered a smooth and efficient service. These young chefs are the future pipeline of talent and are an asset tothe hospitality industry.”
The National Skills Academy Hospitality is proud to endorse Darlington College’s Professional Cookery Diploma as an excellent course and was delighted to gain Board Member Cyrus Todiwala (MBE) to help their student’s journeyto becoming professional chefs.
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