After a two-year absence, the NECTA Hospitality Salon and North East Chef of the Year competition returned to Gosforth’s Grand Hotel – with Seaham Hall’s Kyle Greenwood earning the event’s top prize as Newcastle College won the inter-college event.
On the opening day, Newcastle College won the college competition against stiff competition from New College Durham, Sunderland College, and Middlesborough College.
The second day of the event saw the prestigious Chef of the Year competition take place, with chefs from Seaham Hall, Rockliffe Hall, Lumley Castle and Newcastle College competing for the title and a chance to compete in the National Chef of the Year finals in London later this year.
Saham Hall Hotel-based Kyle wowed the judges with his menu of raw hand-dived scallops,= brushed with youzu kosho; 14-day salt-aged suckling pig with salt-baked peppered pineapple; and single origin 65% Alto El Sol chocolate delice with caramelised white chocolate. cherry-cocoa dentelle and chopped pistachios.
The two-day event also offered the chance to take in a number of other hospitality competitions as well as watching demonstrations and visiting a wide range of trade stands.
NECTA chairman Douglas Jordan said: “The NECTA Hospitality Salon 2022 did just what we had planned. All the students conducted themselves very professionally with good attitude and commitment. Visitors from outside the North East were very impressed. The success of the show was displayed on a variety of plates throughout the two days, and our sugarcraft displays and demonstrations were the best ever. Wine tasting and pairing was a great success, and the fresh floristry, mixology and barista competitions all played an important part in the event’s success. We are now working on the next event for 2023.”
