Three talented catering learners, Mia, Oscar and Amelia, and chef lecturer Greg Cheeseman have enjoyed prestigious awards at the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year competition.

The Eastleigh College Young Restaurant Team were competing against four other colleges in the national final, all having progressed through initial heats staged across the country. Among the other finalists were Cheshire College South and West, Loughborough, Sheffield and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

The final required all teams to produce an original three-course fine dining menu, themed around any European country. The Eastleigh College team opted for Spain, with a starter of Hake Clams Asparagus, served with peas and parsley, followed by a main course of Pan roasted Beef, with griddled baby leeks and an almond and garlic dressing. For desert, the team produced a dark chocolate mousse served with seville orange ice cream and lemon gel.

Cheshire College took home the main crown for UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year, while Eastleigh College were recognised for two special awards. The trio of Mia, Oscar and Amelia won the coveted Sustainability Award for their use of environmentally friendly ingredients and packaging in all their competition cooking. Greg Cheeseman was announced winner of the Team Mentor of the Year Award for his excellent guidance of the team throughout the competition. All awards were presented as part of a special Gala Dinner, to celebrate the progress and accomplishments of the Hospitality education industry across the UK.

The Eastleigh College Hospitality and Catering team said: “The team worked hard throughout the competition and we are super proud of Mia, Oscar and Amelia for their professionalism throughout.”

For more information on our Hospitality and Catering courses, please click here.

For any further information, please contact the College at BeBetter@eastleigh.ac.uk.