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College student Jessica Newbold has been announced as the winner of the Olive it! catering competition for young chefs.
Newbold, 19, from Boston College in Lincolnshire, captured the judges to take the Olive it! crown, “showing true passion for cooking and exceptional culinary skill.”
The judges were particularly impressed with Jessica’s green olive soufflé which was “cooked to perfection”, as well as her “calm demeanour” in the kitchen and her “excellent flavour understanding and appreciation.”
Partnering with Spanish chef of Tapas Revolution fame, Omar Allibhoy, the completion sought to unearth culinary talent by challenging aspiring chefs aged up to the age of 25 to create a four-course menu, with each dish incorporating green or black olives as principal ingredients.
During the live cook off on June 3, eight finalists had just four hours to recreate their olive–inspired menus and present their final dishes to five judges, who were appointed from within the industry.
As the Olive it! winner, Newbold received an all-inclusive gastronomic weekend for two in Spain worth £4,000 and £400 worth of chef’s professional equipment of her choice.
Jessica has also been given the experience of a one-week placement at Omar Allibhoy’s award winning restaurant, Tapas Revolution.
Newbold said: “I’m amazed to have won – shocked really. It was a challenge to use olives in every course and I’ve learned a lot by entering the competition.
“I’m really looking forward to working in Omar’s tapas bar and gaining real life kitchen experience. I’ll definitely be using more olives in my cooking.”
Georgia Claxton, 19, also from Boston College came second, and bringing home the bronze award was Aston Knight, 20, from Accrington and Rossendale College in the North West.
