Loughborough College gobbles up national awards

The high-flying Loughborough College hospitality team has polished off the academic year with a feast of new awards at the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year Awards.

The team walked away with six out of nine possible awards at the event in June 2022 including overall team of the year, sponsored by MSK Ingredients and the sustainability award.

The team of Grace McGreal, Caitlin McGrath and Riley Monk wowed judges with the cooking and serving of a three-course French meal to claim the best service team award.

Individually, the College’s hospitality and catering Curriculum Manager Darren Creed won the prestigious Andrew Bennett Mentor of the Year award, while students Grace McGreal won best butcher and Caitlin McGrath won best barista.

Darren, who was recently inducted into the hallowed Masterchefs of Great Britain, said: “To say I’m proud of the team and our students would be a massive understatement. To come away with six out of nine awards is simply astounding.

“At the same time, this group has worked so hard throughout the year and deserve every accolade they get.

“I’m especially delighted for Grace, Riley and Caitlin on their team award and their individual successes. They are wonderfully talented students and incredible role models.”

David McKown, Director of the Competition, said Darren’s award was well deserved and was awarded in memory of Andrew Bennett who was the competition’s Chair of Judges for eight years.

Vicky Enderson, Chair of Judges and Director at MSK Ingredients, added: “The award was for a lecturer who had developed their team significantly from the qualifying heats of the competition in March to the Grand Final held on 29 June. The team mentored by Darren also won the coveted winner’s trophy and will embark on a study tour to Lyon in October.”

It has been a hugely successful year for the College’s catering team who have amassed a haul of accolades in the 2021/22 academic year.

Student Sam Watkins won the prestigious Toque d’Or, was second in Young Risotto Chef of the Year, landed a job at a top-rated restaurant owned by one of the risotto competition judges, won the Promising Young Student Award at the British Culinary Federation’s gala dinner and won a bronze medal in the World Skills UK contest.

Students Sophie Jones, Caitlin McGrath and Riley Monk were crowned Team of the Year at the final of Zest Quest Asia competition.

Darren Creed was shortlisted as Chef Lecturer of the Year at the highly prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022 and was also inducted into the elite Master Chefs of Great Britain membership.

The training kitchen has welcomed an array of Michelin-star or celebrity chefs who have shared their expertise with students.

And the College’s Radmoor Restaurant underwent a £30k revamp after a successful grant awarded by the Savoy Educational Trust.