College students compete against Royal Navy in culinary competition

A team of professional cookery and hospitality students at City of Glasgow College are going head to head with members of the Royal Navy.

For a second year the College is hosting the Royal Navy Flotilla Cook and Serve Challenge at the college’s City campus.

The competition sees the teams prepare, cook and serve a three-course meal for four covers within 90 minutes.

May Donald, Associate Dean for Culinary Arts at City of Glasgow College, said:

“This is the second year this competition has taken place at the college and we are delighted to be working with the Royal Navy once again. Competitions like this are a fantastic experience for our students. Not only does the challenge provide a real-life testing ground for their skills, it introduces them to future career possibilities. Our college won the competition last year so are hoping to retain our title.”

The menus will consist of a starter, main and dessert course and will be of the competitors’ choice. A descriptive menu, including choice of wines, must be displayed and list all allergens present.

Daniel Carrington, Petty Officer Catering Services Submariner, added:

“It is great to be back working with the City of Glasgow College after the turbulent year we have had. This competition is a great chance for our Catering Services personnel to show off their fine dining skills and flair that they don’t always get to do whilst deployed. Hopefully this year the Royal Navy can win the title.”

The aim is to display as many craft skills as possible within the competition time, with teams showcasing knowledge of their produce, interpersonal skills, along with technical and serving skills, and teamwork between the chefs and the server.