Two rising culinary talents from The Bedford College Group, with campuses across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, are preparing to showcase their skills on an international stage after earning places in the finals of a prestigious UK-wide student culinary competition.

Charlie McGinn, aged 16, a student at Tresham College Corby, and Charlize De Leon, aged 17, from Central Bedfordshire College have secured their places in the final of the CombiGuru Challenge after achieving top scores in the competition’s opening stage.

Charlie, who is studying for a Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery and Charlize, who is studying a Level 2 Diploma in Culinary Skills earned their places in the international finals by finishing among the highest-scoring students in the App Challenge, a 25-day programme of daily culinary tasks and knowledge-based challenges. Both their performances demonstrated not only strong technical understanding but also the consistency and dedication required to succeed at a national level.

Culinary trip
Culinary trip - in kitchens
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Open to catering colleges across the UK, the competition attracts entries from hundreds of institutions each year, making progression to the final a significant achievement.

Having excelled in the opening stage, both students will now travel to Unox headquarters in Venice, Italy, on 28 April to compete in the Oven Challenge final.

There, they will face an intense three-hour cook-off, preparing and presenting two dishes, a starter and a dessert, for a panel of judges. With only one overall winner to be crowned, the competition promises to be fierce.

Charlie will be accompanied by Catering and Hospitality Lecturer, Brendan Hulse from Tresham College, Corby and Charlize will be accompanied by Concetta Lewis from Central Bedfordshire College.

Alongside the competition, finalists will also take part in a culinary experience day in Venice, offering a unique opportunity to gain inspiration from one of Europe’s most iconic food destinations.

The winning college will receive a gift voucher worth a 5-tray CHEFTOP MIND Maps Plus Oven which retails for around £3000, supporting future students in developing industry-ready skills.

Speaking ahead of the finals, Charlie said:

“I’m incredibly excited about going to Italy and see it as an amazing opportunity to compete in a national competition against other colleges”.

Andrew Robinson, Programme Manager, Hospitality & Catering at Tresham College, said:

“Charlie has shown real commitment and enthusiasm throughout this competition. Opportunities like this allow our students to test themselves in a high-pressure, professional environment, and we are incredibly proud to see him representing the college internationally.”

The CombiGuru Challenge combines digital learning with hands-on experience, helping students develop both their technical skills and creative confidence in preparation for careers in the hospitality industry.

Reaching the international finals is a major milestone for both students and reflects the high standard of training across The Bedford College Group’s hospitality and catering courses.

Students across The Bedford College Group benefit from hands-on training in real working environments, including the Manor House restaurant, where they develop their skills in both kitchen and front-of-house roles. This experience helps build the technical ability, confidence and professionalism reflected in competitions like the CombiGuru Challenge.

Find out more

To find out more about the Hospitality and Catering courses available across The Bedford College Group, visit https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/subjects/hospitality-and-catering/

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