First Gold for NCC in WorldSkills UK Challenge

Two New City College catering students have achieved success in the WorldSkills UK competition for Restaurant Service Foundation Skills.

Up against students from across the country, Matas Gestautas, pictured below, who is based at our Redbridge campus, was the overall winner, securing Gold and Bradley Jack, also based at Redbridge, was awarded third-placed Bronze.

They received their medals on December 14 from Deputy Principal Jacqueline Mitchell at the Rouge Restaurant, on the Redbridge campus in Chadwell Heath, where they are completing the Level 2 Diploma in Hospitality Services.

The competition is an opportunity for young people who may be aspiring to work in the Hospitality industry to showcase their talent and demonstrate their journey towards work-readiness.

After gaining the highest marks from the Restaurant Service Foundation Skills heats, both students qualified for the final, held on November 17. For their challenge, they had to set a ‘table for 2’ for an Armistice Day Afternoon Tea and decorate a centrepiece, all under the watchful eye of the judges online.

After being presented with his award, Matas said “I feel great- it has been an incredible journey for me and winning this competition is a great end to the year.  I am thankful to my lecturer, Tony Pecoraro, who has been a massive help to me.”

Deputy Principal Jacqueline Mitchell, commented: “Today the bar was raised, congratulations to our fantastic aspiring chefs for their commitment and quality display of skills in the WorldSkills UK competition.  We are lucky to have so many talented students at New City College.”

Tony Pecoraro, Hospitality and Catering lecturer, said: “The students displayed the skills, knowledge, passion and self-confidence of experienced chefs. I am very proud of their achievements.”

Bradley Jack is pictured below.