IWFS Vegetarian Chef Competition
Organised by IWFS North, supported by the Vegetarian Society Cookery School.
“Thank you so much for providing such an amazing opportunity for our learners… We are delighted to have been given the opportunity again to showcase their talent through this competition.”
Louise Leadley, Programme Leader- Catering and Hospitality, Scarborough Tec
“It’s been brilliant seeing the innovative dishes the catering students have created with the ingredients given to them. We’ve really enjoyed working with the IWFS to give the students this opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Sam Linford-Platt, Head of The Vegetarian Society Cookery School
Welcome to the International Wine and Food Society Vegetarian Chef Competition!
Welcome to the IWFS Vegetarian Chef Competition. Following the success of last year’s event www.iwfsblackpudding.co.uk, the Northern Branches of the International Wine and Food Society (the world’s oldest and largest wine and food organisation) organised this competition for the highly-talented young chefs now making their way through the Northern catering colleges.
Students from 6 colleges – Bolton, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Trafford and Warrington & Vale Royal – competed to create the best plate of food made exclusively with vegetarian ingredients.
The competition was enabled by generous support from our sponsors The Vegetarian Society Cookery School, along with Amato Foods and Saga Cruises. Our thanks also to Warrington and Vale Royal College for hosting the Final and Bolton College for hosting the Grand Awards Lunch.
Timeline
Next Stop: Unveiling The Winners!
Unveiling the Winners
The winners were announced on May 12th 2023 and awards presented to the top three entrants by Stephen Harrison and Tricia Fletcher of the IWFS Northern Branches, along with Anne Plaskett, Trustee of The Vegetarian Society.
The finalists, with Head Judge Paul Heathcote MBE and compere for the Lunch Stephanie Moon
First Prize went to Sabah Shah from Leeds City College, for her dish of Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese Macarons
Second Prize went to Caitlin Clark from Warrington and Vale Royal College for her dish of Rhubarb Tart
Third Prize went to Ethan Dowson from Scarborough TEC, for his dish of Tofu Katsu Curry
The judges also awarded a Special Commendation to Ajay Loftus from Trafford College for his dish of Tofu Curry.
Ajay received his award at a special presentation from IWFS representatives Hilary Rylands, Tricia Fletcher and Tim Hodges at Trafford College on Thursday 25th May 2023
Judges
Introducing our fabulous team of judges, who have very kindly donated their time to support the Competition:
John McCerery
Executive Chef, Saga Boutique Cruises
Anne Plaskett
Trustee, The Vegetarian Society
Gallery
Heats
Leeds
Middlesbrough
Scarborough
Trafford
Warrington
tHE fINAL
What They Said
The IWFS
The International Wine and Food Society Northern Branches are part of a friendly and inclusive Society that enables exciting, stimulating and special opportunities to learn more about and enjoy food and drink. The IWFS is the world’s oldest and largest independent gastronomic organisation with over 6,000 members globally.
Find Your Local Branch
Sponsors
We are hugely grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who have made this year’s competition possible:
The Vegetarian Society Cookery School
The cookery school teaches professional chefs and home cooks while also offering free classes to community groups. The school is part of the Vegetarian Society, a campaigning charity bringing the benefits of plant-based eating to all.
https://vegsoc.org/cookery-school-2/
Amato Foods
Amato Products Ltd is a family run foodservice company based in Manchester City Centre. The company was founded 30 years ago by Bob and Deloras Amato.
Saga Cruises
