After winning the first stage back in October, students Keira Merrington and Erin Wilson wowed judges at the local finals of the Springboard FutureChef competition, held in Darlington on Wednesday.
The challenge for our budding chefs was to create a two-course meal with a budget of only £7. This did not hold back our students as both created outstanding dishes!
Keira wowed the judges with her duo of chicken katsu curry and Japanese hotcakes served with homemade mango and pomegranate coulis, earning second place.
The winning combination proved to be Erin's impressive turkey ballotine with a Christmas stuffing served with hasselback potatoes and a reduced red wine sauce, followed by a spiced apple tart tartan, finishing in first place for County Durham.
Miss Lilly commented: "Both girls were fantastic in this competition and their hard work and multiple practice sessions certainly paid off."
Both girls were commended on by the panel of judges for showing a broad range of technical skills, excellent time management and determination.
Up next for Erin will be the regional finals on 6 February at Sheffield Hallam University. In the run-up, Erin will be mentored by an industry chef from Sodexo to improve her repertoire of skills - an excellent opportunity to link up with industry experts.
Congratulations to both students, you were amazing - the D&T department could not be prouder!