Young chefs from all over the country recently travelled to Birmingham NEC to the Great Hospitality Show 2017 to take part in the finals of the Major Series competition.

Finalists took to the stage in front of over 50 people to battle it out for the trophy. After competing in the regional heats and winning gold, Megan Mccarron from Cullompton and a student at Exeter College made her way to Birmingham for the finals.

“It was quite a high pressured environment, competing alongside seven other students and on a stage. It was nice to see everyone’s dishes and learn from what everyone else was doing, I really enjoyed representing the college too.”

Megan presented a Pistachio Crusted Chicken Boudin, stuffed with a Moroccan Fast and served with an Israeli cous cous, asparagus and coriander and pistachio oil dressing, using Major Moroccan Mari Base and Major Applewood and Hickory Smoke. Megan walked away with a plate and certificate for overall ‘Best in Class’, a trophy for competing, a silver medal for her chicken dish and a £500 voucher to spend in a catering catalogue.

As part of the competition, they provided feedback which Megan was eager to hear. They said:

“It is always a pleasure to work with students who are receptive to constructive criticism and eager to improve. To take the example of Megan’s winning dish, it was well executed, very modern, very current, especially the Israeli couscous which had a wonderful flavour, it was only lacking a bit of sauce.”

Delighted with her results, Megan assured Major that she will be taking on board the top tips and would most certainly like to be part of the competition arena moving forward.

“I can’t quite believe it. I was a little nervous beforehand but knowing what was expected of me, helped me achieve my goal.”

She added:

“I’ve never been a chef, I’ve always been a baker, that's what I love. I was practicing for the final for over a month, I knew straight away what I wanted to cook but I developed the look and the flavours.I feel more confident now and have come to realise that I know more than I thought I did. It’s a massive boost being on stage and being watched, it was really hard but once I got up there I was in the zone.”