Newcastle College has once again proven itself as the North East’s top regional college for hospitality and catering with incredible results at this year’s NECTA, including being named best overall college at the competition.
Every year, learners from across the North-East compete in NECTA; a live inter-college catering competition hosted by the North-East Culinary and Trade Association. This year the competition was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle, where catering and hospitality students from Newcastle College took home 10 Gold, one Silver and two Bronze awards, as well as Best Student and Best Overall College.
They joined learners from Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Gateshead, New College Durham and Northumberland Colleges to take part in 14 different live classes.
Culinary Arts degree students from Newcastle College University Centre also presented their end-of-year assessments at the competition, which were judged by renowned, and Michelin awarded chefs from local and national restaurants, hosted by Chef Ben Bartlett and Chairman of Craft Guild of Chefs George McIvor.
Daisy Glasper, a Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery student from Newcastle College not only came first in her individual category but was also named “Best Student” of the entire competition.
Daisy said: “It was unreal to find out I’d won. This is my first competition. I’ve got a few more coming up including a Nestlé one next week, where I’m one of only 24 students who got through from over 400 entries. I can go into those with a bit more confidence now, which is good.”
Programme Leader for Catering and Hospitality, Mal Farmer added: “I've been so impressed with Daisy, especially as she’s never competed before. These are tough, industry-standard competitions, and she put a lot of hours into preparing for it, so it’s fantastic to see it pay off.
“Getting involved in competitions such as NECTA has a real, positive impact on students’ ability and confidence. It improves their culinary skills and proves they know how to perform under immense pressure, which will be a huge advantage when they’re applying for jobs. NECTA gives our students the platform to showcase their skills in a live, practical forum to spectators from industry and potential employers. Indeed, this year one of my students has gained an interview and work trial as a result of her performance at the NECTA heats.”
Congratulations to all of the Newcastle College winners, listed in full below:
- GOLD Knife Skills – Bradley Armory
- GOLD Chicken Prep – Dan Ivison
- GOLD Chicken Dish – Daisy Glasper
- GOLD Fish Prep – Charlie Crichton-Rutter
- GOLD Gateau – Angela Newsome
- GOLD Mixologist – David McGowan
- GOLD Chocolate Fondant – Sophie Crossman
- Best Student – Daisy Glasper
- Outstanding Knife Cuts – Bradley Armory
- Best Overall College – Newcastle
- SILVER Team event – Tony Riches, Jessica Watson, David McGowan, Abbie Watkins
- BRONZE Plant-Based Starter – Naiose Clark
- BRONZE Mille Feuille – Hannah Warne
- Highly Commended Barista – Abbie Watkins
- Highly Commended Crème Diplomat – Hannah Warne