UK venues compete in catering awards challenge

Eleven event venues from across the UK went head-to-head at the Venues of Excellence Cook and Serve Challenge 2019. The challenge saw Venues of Excellence members competing to serve invited guests, with prizes given out in a number of categories. The theme of this year’s contest – held in partnership with catering management firm Wilson Vale – was ‘Showcasing Talent’. The competitors were tasked with preparing and serving a three-course menu that showcased themselves and their venue, using a minimum of five ingredients from a provided list. Deon Chikwama and Georgia Wood of Imago Venues Burleigh Court were named as ‘Best Team’ and College Court’s Jack Jarman took the crown as Champion Chef, along with Athina Vasileiou, who was awarded Food Service Champion for her front of house service. The duo served a menu of hand-dived scallop; sous vide pork belly; and 77% chocolate with vanilla poached quince, liquorice meringue and hazelnuts. A selection of images from the evening can be viewed below.