Exeter College Students Shine at International Salon Culinaire

Exeter College’s hospitality and catering students have showcased their culinary excellence at the prestigious International Salon Culinaire competition, walking away with an impressive array of medals. Demonstrating both exceptional skill and professionalism, the team secured five gold, six silver, 11 bronze, and five merit awards—cementing their status as rising stars in the industry. Notably, two silver medals were also awarded Best in Show.

The students, who competed in a range of cooking and butchery challenges, received high praise from their tutor, who commended their dedication.

Deputy Head of Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, Matt Pickett, said;

“Our students performed brilliantly and were a genuine credit to the college. Not only in their cooking skills, but their professionalism, manners, and hygiene. They walked away with an incredible set of medals.”

Among the standout performers was Mia Walter, a Level 3 NVQ Hospitality and Catering Management student, who earned an outstanding five medals. Her accolades included gold for French trimming, chicken butchery, and sea bass and trout preparation. She also received silver for her avocado starter (Best in Class) and knife skills, along with a bronze for lamb butchery.

A young female chef stands in her chef whites wearing her medals — Mia scooped an impressive five medals at the competition.

Reflecting on the experience, Mia shared, “The morning was amazing. I got to try different foods, speak to professionals, and take in all the opportunities. Then I had all five competitions in a row – it was really intense. By the time I got to the lamb butchery, my arms were dead! But overall, it was an amazing experience.”

When asked why she participated, Mia explained, “I wanted to gain experience, especially with lamb butchery, which I’d never done before. I also wanted to see where I stood and how well I’m doing. Hopefully, I did pretty well!”

Looking to the future, Mia has ambitious plans to travel the world and work in high-end catering. “I’d love to work on super yachts, but first I need to get my STCW qualification. I’m also considering a free nutrition and dietitian course when I turn 19. I just want to keep gaining experience and move around the UK before I start traveling with a work visa.”

The success of Exeter College’s students at International Salon Culinaire highlights the high standards of training and dedication at the college. If you want to join us, find out more at our next Open Event.

Exeter College Students Win Top Prizes at National Institute of Carpenters Competition

Exeter College carpentry and joinery students have scooped the top prizes at the Institute of Carpenters competition. Students were presented with their prizes in a special ceremony held at the historic Carpenters’ Hall in London.

The Carpenters’ Craft Competition is a national competition open to students of carpentry, joinery, and shop fitting. It gives outstanding students the chance to showcase their work, and have it judged by leaders in the field. Students can take part at both a regional and national level, with over 200 colleges nationwide eligible to take part.

Success in this prestigious competition gives students a head start in their chosen vocation having achieved official recognition of their exceptional skills and high calibre workmanship.

Laura Michell recently completed her Apprenticeship in Architectural Joinery and works for James Riggall Fine Joinery. She won the over 20’s prize and was the winner of the IOC Shield and the George Pysden Shield. Laura also won the over 20’s prize last year, making her the first person in the competition’s history to win the prize in the over 20’s for two consecutive years. She said;

“I completed the piece out of curiosity and for fun, to see if I could do as well as I did in the previous year. I was very pleased and completely gobsmacked to learn that I won first place again for the second year running for my age category. I am extremely proud.”

Lecturer for Carpentry and Joinery at Exeter College, Oliver Cox, went to London with the students to collect their prizes. He said;

“I’m incredibly proud to have taught Laura over her two-year apprenticeship. To be the only person to win the competition two years in a row is an amazing achievement and she should be very proud of herself.”

Exeter College student Isaac Bruce, in his first year of the Architectural Joinery Apprenticeship picked up first place in the under 20’s category and was the winner of the JMA Cup. Robin Poynter-Taylder picked up second place in the under 20’s with Tom Reid in third. Additionally, Tomi Bartole picked up third place in the over 20’s category.

Find out more about Carpentry courses at our next Open Event.

Exeter College students help the South West to glory at the AoC Sport National Championships

Students from Exeter College competed at the AoC Sport National Championships in Nottingham last weekend, coming home with three gold and three silver medals as they helped the South West region to finish in 1st place.

Over 60 students and staff travelled to the University of Nottingham where they battled it out against athletes from colleges across England and Wales during the three-day event. They competed in a wide range of sports including Women’s Rugby 7’s, Netball, Basketball, Men’s Rugby 7’s, Tennis, and Cross Country.

AoC Sport Director of Sport and Student Experience Dean Hardman said:

“It goes without saying that the past two years have been extremely difficult for everyone and especially young people. We were therefore delighted to see the return of the AoC Sport National Championships for the first time since 2019 and the much-needed opportunity for our talented athletes from across the country to compete against each other at this fantastic event.

“Given all the challenges colleges have faced throughout the pandemic, it is outstanding to see so many join us in Nottingham and to see so many students enjoying their sport and its many benefits. It has been a privilege to host them.”

Silver medals were earned in Men’s Rugby 7’s, only missing out on Gold on a head-to-head rule, Cross Country, and Tennis. Amazing resilience and teamwork were shown by Netball, Women’s Rugby 7’s and the Barbarians South West Women’s Basketball team, to bring home gold medals.

As well as individual glory, the teams were aiming to accumulate points for their region and win the prestigious Wilkinson Sword trophy. After an intense competition, the South West region were presented winners of the Wilkinson Sword with a total of 140 points, the first time the region has won the coveted title since 2016. Yorkshire and Humber claimed the runners-up spot with 127 points and the South East came in at third place.

Sports Academy Manager at Exeter College, Chris Wall said:

“It’s outstanding to have the National Championships back after a period of 2 years without them. All our students have enjoyed the regional qualifying competitions and those that were rewarded by winning had an amazing experience in Nottingham. Even more pleasing was how they conducted themselves and performed. Let us hope this remains an annual event for the foreseeable future.”

More than 1500 students took part in 12 different sports at the University of Nottingham and surrounding areas. The event was brilliantly supported by 282 staff, 91 colleges, 45 student volunteers, countless officials, not to mention the AoC Sport team.

League Table: Wilkinson Sword competition

Region	Total Points	Final Position
South West	140	1st
Yorkshire & Humberside	127	2nd
South East	121	3rd
East	107	4th
West Midlands	101.5	5th
East Midlands	85.5	6th
North West	81.5	7th
North East	59.5	8th
London	52	9^th
Wales	27	10th

Exeter College help South West top AoC Sport National Championships table

Young Chefs Best in the West

As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we’re talking to some of the inspirational students, staff and alumni who have helped make us the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today.

Exeter College’s current hospitality and catering students are following a legacy of success for the department. As we reflect on three then-Exeter College students making the headlines on this month 42 years ago, our current fledgling students are also cooking up a storm in the region’s culinary competitions.

Then…

From the left Julia Shackleford from Exmouth, Andrew Corrick from Sidmouth, and Charles Moore, Dawlish (1972).

In February 1972, three Exeter College students won the first prize with their dishes at the ‘Cater 78’ competition for the second year running. The annual contest, held in Paignton, was the most significant provincial catering exhibition in Britain at the time.

The second year culinary arts students created lavish dishes as part of the contest. One team member, Andrew Corrick from Sidmouth, spent a total of 19 hours preparing and cooking his fish dish which landed him the first prize. Exmouth’s Julia Shackleford and Charles Moore from Dawlish were the other winners on the night.

The Head of Food and Fashion at the time said he was proud of the students’ success.

“The judges told us afterwards that the standard of our work was higher than that seen recently at the National Culinary Competition at Olympia.”

And now…

Forty-two years later and our hospitality and catering students are still flying high. This month a group of students competed in the Major Series competition, bringing home medals for their achievements.

The annual Major Series competition, in association with The Craft Guild of Chefs, aims to provide students with the opportunity to showcase their skills while competing against their peers from other colleges.

With categories ranging from the ‘Hot Chicken Challenge’ to the ‘Decorated Gateau Class’, students can demonstrate and build on a range of skills.

Our students once again impressed the judges, with three students coming home with gold, seven with silver and four with bronze medals.

Mark Stoyle, Programme Leader for Hospitality , Hair and Beauty, accompanied the students to this year’s Major Series event.

“As always, the students have made our faculty and the college amazingly proud. They have come back with a good haul of medals – excellent results throughout,” said Mark.

Rosie Nevill, Level 3 Professional Cookery student, will be going to London for the national final next year. Rosie has also been asked to return as one of the judges in 2021.

Exeter College students who competed in the Major Series Competition 2020.

Exeter College is celebrating 50 years since being named as the UK’s first tertiary college. Although our roots date back to the 1800s, our status as a tertiary college marked a revolution in further education and 2020 marks our 50 years of excellence since that landmark. If you have a memory of Exeter College through the years that you’d like to share, contact marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk or get involved on social media using #ExeColl50