After making the final 10 in BBC Two’s Masterchef: The Professionals, Matt Campbell (Lakes-based private chef) and Ryan Blackburn (Chef Proprietor of The Old Stamp House), will be joining six other talented Cumbrian chefs to host an extraordinary dinner at Kendal College on Friday 23rd February.
The group of local chefs, either alumni of Kendal College or student mentors, also features Martin Frickel (Forest Side), Arthur Bridgeman Quinn (The Punch Bowl), Scott Fairweather (The Black Swan), Mike Southcott (Café Ambio), Will Dickinson (a development chef for Greencore) and Andrew Postlethwaite (Three Hares).
The eight decided to get together to host a fundraising dinner to ‘put something back’ and help raise funds to assist current Kendal College catering students in broadening their culinary knowledge overseas and developing themselves as chefs through exposure to other food cultures.
Every year, students can apply to join the College Culinary Team, an aspirational team of young people looking to gain valuable hands on experience over and above their normal College course. If successful during the year they will work at high profile events and private functions to raise money to enable them to embark on an inspiring overseas end of year trip.
In 2017, the Culinary Team travelled to Copenhagen and in previous years, students have visited San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo. The trip this summer to Madrid will include a culinary food tour, visits to prestigious hotels and opportunities to experience the history, culture and sights of Spain’s capital.
Matt Campbell, said: “I’m returning because of my love for the College and where I developed a passion for cooking. Being part of the Culinary Team ignited another passion for travel, as our trip was to Chicago – hence the reason why I became a private chef so that I could combine my love for both things. By returning to where it all began, I hope to show the current generation of chefs at the College what they can achieve."
Martin Frickel, senior sous chef at Forest Side, said: ‘’It’s great being involved with college events like this. A number of those involved in this event are former students and the others are student mentors, and as such we all wanted to do something positive to inspire those coming into the profession. Kendal College is one of the leading lights in the UK’s catering industry. It’s a place that helped us and continues to help us, for us it’s all about fostering relationships, inspiring and delivering excellence and that’s something we are all proud to be a part of.’’
Richard Axford Assistant Head of School for Hospitality at Kendal College, said: ‘’The students are hoping to raise £6,000 from the dinner, which will help fund their upcoming trip. They will also be working with the chefs on the night, all of whom are inspiring role models, giving the students a taste of what can be achieved within the sector and where they could be in 10 years’ time.”
Guests attending the dinner will enjoy an eight-course tasting menu, made and presented by each chef. An auction will also take place, with some fantastic prizes on offer including:
The generosity of local suppliers and businesses is also helping the students to raise their target. The current year group of students are becoming increasingly excited about what lies ahead.
** Photography by 'Jenny Jones Photography', conceptual styling by 'Catherine Connor.
