Cassius tastes success in FutureChef heat

A student from Limavady has won the North West heat of the Springboard FutureChef competition, hosted at the Flying Clipper restaurant at North West Regional College.
Adam Eccles, Limavady High School, Cassius Clapton, St Mary's Limavady, and Andre Smith, Limavady High School, who competed in the Futurechef Regional Heats at North West Regional College. Also pictured are Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager, Hospitality and Catering, NWRC, Paul Sharkey, Bishop's Gate Hotel and Alice Quinn, Northern Ireland Project Team, Springboard. (Pic Martin McKeown).Adam Eccles, Limavady High School, Cassius Clapton, St Mary's Limavady, and Andre Smith, Limavady High School, who competed in the Futurechef Regional Heats at North West Regional College. Also pictured are Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager, Hospitality and Catering, NWRC, Paul Sharkey, Bishop's Gate Hotel and Alice Quinn, Northern Ireland Project Team, Springboard. (Pic Martin McKeown).
Adam Eccles, Limavady High School, Cassius Clapton, St Mary's Limavady, and Andre Smith, Limavady High School, who competed in the Futurechef Regional Heats at North West Regional College. Also pictured are Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager, Hospitality and Catering, NWRC, Paul Sharkey, Bishop's Gate Hotel and Alice Quinn, Northern Ireland Project Team, Springboard. (Pic Martin McKeown).

Cassius Clapton from St Mary’s High School impressed judges, Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager of Hospitality and Catering at North West Regional College, and Paul Sharkey, Bishop’s Gate Hotel, with his two course meal of Chicken with Stuffed Mushrooms, Baby Carrots and Asparagus served with Mushroom Sauce, and a dessert of Chocolate Fondant, Chocolate Crumble and Hazelnut Praline.

The runners up prizes were awarded to Andre Smith and Adam Eccles of Limavady High School for their menus which included Mexican Baked Eggs with Boiled Rice and a dessert of Biscoff Cheesecake, and Sweet Chilli Chicken with Boiled Rice and Victoria Sponge Swiss Roll.

During the event the competitors showcased their fantastic cooking, budgeting and time management skills.

Alice Quinn, Springboard Northern Ireland Project Team congratulated North West local finalists: “The Springboard FutureChef competition is an incredible opportunity for young people to showcase their abilities. It also gives them an opportunity to work in professional kitchens in the hospitality industry gaining valuable life skills. I wish Cassius the very best as he progresses to the NI Final of Futurechef 2020 and I would encourage schools to participate in all of the support available through Futurechef. Finally, I would also encourage the other participating students to continue working on their culinary skills, their ability was to be highly commended.”

Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager at NWRC said: “The three competitors have prepared well in advance of the competition and have worked professionally to prepare their dishes to a high standard, while being timed. I have no doubt that they all have exciting careers ahead of them in the Food Industry, which continues to grow in Northern Ireland offering amazing opportunities for young chefs.”

Cassius will now progress to the regional final which is due to be held at Belfast Met on January 20.