Scottish Chefs (Federation of Chefs Scotland), the organisation representing chefs in Scotland, last year collaborated with Nespresso Professional to launch the inaugural student coffee challenge, and today they announce the competition’s return.
As Scottish Chefs marks its 30th anniversary, the winning recipe will be featured in a special anniversary cookbook, and the winners will receive a Nespresso M100 coffee machine for their college, along with a bespoke pastry chef masterclass to enhance their skills.
To participate in the competition, teams must consist of three students, all enrolled in full-time catering and hospitality college courses, and submit an afternoon tea selection featuring savouries and Nespresso pastries.
Six teams will then advance to the final, which will be held at Milton College, Edinburgh.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest.
Teams will have two hours to prepare their afternoon tea selection for a judging panel including Joe Queen, Chair of The Scottish Chefs Culinary Committee; Kevin MacGillivray, International World Chefs Accredited Judge; Derek Johnstone, the first winner of BBC MasterChef: The Professionals; and Donna Dowson, Head of Sales UK, Nespresso.
Last year, the victorious team from Edinburgh College, Milton Campus, was invited to the Scottish Culinary Team dinner at Prestonfield House Hotel, where they met Michel Roux, Patron of Scottish Chefs, and received a signed book from him, as well as a Nespresso M100 coffee machine for their college.
Their winning menu included Tiramisu x Mont Blanc, Coffee Apple Choux au Craquelin, Smoked Mackerel and Beetroot Tart, and Puff Vegetable Samosa.
Donna Dowson, Head of Sales UK, Nespresso, said: “It was a privilege to support this competition last year, and help support the next generation of culinary superstars.
“We can’t wait to once again be inspired by the imaginative menus to complement our coffee.
“We would encourage anyone to enter, as this year the competition is extra special with it being the 30th anniversary of Scottish Chefs and the chance to be included in the anniversary cookbook.”
Joe Queen, Chair of the judges, said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again partner up with Nespresso on this competition and help ignite the imagination of students to develop new ideas and combinations, with an afternoon tea to compliment Nespresso’s coffees.
“For anyone looking to pursue a career in hospitality, the competition offers a great chance to showcase talent, so I would encourage all aspiring to chefs to enter.”
To enter, please email Joe Queen at joeq@archerfieldhouse.com with your entry, including full recipes and methods.
The closing date for entries is Friday, 27 September. Entries will be judged on paper, and six teams will advance to the final, which will be held at Milton College, Edinburgh, on Monday, 11 November.
