Gold Standard: Coleg Llandrillo Students Secure Victory at Northwest Commis of the Year Competition

Molly Thallon and Millie Batterbee, both studying Level 3 Professional Cookery, alongside Level 3 Food Service Supervision student Oskar Williams, took part in the competition on Monday 30th March at The Academy Restaurant at Cheshire College - South & West’s Crewe campus.

“The competition was a great experience that I will never forget,” said Molly. “It really helped me with my skills for my career.”

Triumphing against other college teams from across North Wales and North West England, the team brought home the gold medal and a trophy, and also gained a commendation of excellence.

The cook/serve competition saw the students, all aged 20, show seamless collaboration between the kitchen and front-of-house, as they planned, produced, and served a sophisticated three-course menu, complete with mocktails and wine pairings, to live customers.

“The experience really challenged us to be creative and stay focussed under pressure,” said Millie.

The victory follows weeks of intensive training in the industry-standard kitchen and restaurant facilities at Coleg Llandrillo, under the guidance of Coleg Llandrillo tutors Mike Evans and Mike Garner.

“We worked really hard on our communication skills with our front of house teammate, Oskar, which I think really helped us,” said Molly.

Millie added: “It was nerve-wracking at first, but thanks to the amazing training and support from our tutors, we felt well prepared.”

A last minute change to the brief tested the students’ resilience and ability to adapt when Oskar had to carve at the table in front of customers – a task he hadn’t prepared for.

"That scared me slightly, but I got on with it and figured it out," Oskar shared. "When they called out that our college had won, there was just a huge rush of excitement and the feeling that all the training had finally paid off."

The team’s tutors couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication they have all shown whilst preparing for the competition, and the professional attitude they showed on the day.

“They have grown in confidence and have put all of their hard learned skills to the test in the pressured environment of the competition with a smile,” said Mike Garner.

Molly, Millie and Oskar will attend the ACF Presidents Awards and Gourmet Dinner on May 7th, where they will officially be presented with their trophy.

Congratulations to all three on this fabulous achievement!

Are you a budding chef or fancy a front-of-house career? Check out the catering and hospitality courses available across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai here: https://www.gllm.ac.uk/courses/hospitality-and-catering

Whether you are leaving school and looking for your next step, want a career change or would like to gain new skills for fun, there is a course for everyone.