More than 450 Year 9 students battled it out to make the final of Menu Masters, a competition that really caught the imagination of Buckinghamshire's young people!
The Menu Masters competition saw more than 450 Year 9 students from across the county step up to this unique work experience challenge, with teams of students creating and presenting the best possible restaurant concepts, names, menus, ambience, marketing and use of technology.
Two incredible business owners and their teams - restaurateur Atul Kochhar, and Karim Kassam from Horwood House Hotel - have supported the event and heard over 60 pitches from students keen to become the winners of the first inter-schools challenge of its kind in the county.
Four teams made it through to the final held on April 27th - one each from The Beaconsfield School, Cressex Community School, Sir Thomas Fremantle School, and The Buckingham School.
Before the final, the students enjoyed exclusive visits to Sindhu in Marlow, and Horwood House Hotel, enjoying tours of hotels, kitchens and restaurants, as well as careers talks, mentoring, and lunch.
Soon enough, it was time for the final on an inspiring morning of creativity, confidence-building and collaboration.
Each team raised their game for the final, delivering impressive presentations, tackling tough questions from judges Cllr Jilly Jordan, Bonnie May from Global Infusion Group, Sarah Gray from The Careers & Enterprise Company, and Heather Dean from Buckinghamshire Business First, and showing real entrepreneurial flair.
So who won?
Congratulations to the winning team from Sir Thomas Fremantle School, whose South American themed restaurant concept, Plaça de Tinta, captured the judges’ attention with its creative blend of food and artistic expression, offering a unique 'Sip and Paint' experience where customers can create, display, and even sell their artwork while enjoying locally sourced dishes.
Thanks to those that made it happen
A big thank you to Atul Kochhar and Karim Kassam and their teams for their generosity and willingness to share their time, experience and hospitality to guide and mentor all of the students over the course of the #MenuMastersChallenge! And thanks to Your Print Solution for printing the certificates!
The prizes reflect the exceptional standard of work, with the winning team earning a week of work experience across Horwood House Hotel and one of Atul Kochhar’s restaurants, as well as an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a chef from Global Infusion Group to create a dish featured on the menu for Lewis Capaldi’s Hyde Park performance in July, complete with full credit to the team and their school.
A brilliant example of what happens when education and industry come together to inspire the next generation, something we're sure our Bucks Skills Hub Sponsors - OCU Group, Fairhive Homes Limited, Rosefield Solar Farm, and Buckinghamshire Council - would agree with.