A group of budding chefs from Shrewsbury College are celebrating after taking home 17 medals from 17 competitions at the annual Welsh International Culinary Championships.

During the three-day event, which takes place every February, students and trainee chefs from across the country go head-to-head in a variety of skills competitions - from potato piping to gateau making.

Shrewsbury College’s culinary team - which includes three level 3, three level 2 and two level 1 Hospitality and Catering students - took home a medal for each of the 17 competitions they entered, including three gold medals.

Dan Gibbons, Chef Lecturer at the college, said: “We’re really proud of the students for the hard work and effort they put into the event. It’s important for us as a college to get our students out into industry as much as possible, whether that be at local and national competitions, or during work placements, where they can work alongside their peers.

“This competition in particular is always one we are keen to get involved with because we can involve students from across all levels. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication that they were able to take home so many medals!”

The students collectively won two bronze medals, 12 silver and three gold.

Winners of the three gold medals are level 1 students, Amy Emberton, 17 from Welshpool and Abbie Davies, 17, from Shrewsbury.

Amy won her gold medal in ‘potato piping’. She said: “It was pretty nerve racking to start with but the experience was really good. I’m really happy that I won a gold medal, I didn’t think I’d win anything. There were lots of people and it was a big event, it was the first time I’d taken part in a competition with the College.

Abbie won two gold medals, for ‘potato piping’ and ‘vegetable cutting’. She said: “I’m really happy I won two gold medals, like Amy, this was the first competition I’d taken part in.

“It was good for us to compete in these categories because it helps you perfect the basic skills in catering before progressing to the harder stuff, and it was really good to compete against other students.”

For more information about Hospitality & Catering courses at Shrewsbury College, please call 01743 342411,  or you can follow the college on Facebook:/shrewsburycollege Twitter: @shrewsburycol and Instagram: shrewsbury_college