A catering and hospitality student from Tresham College, Corby, was announced as a double award winner at the prestigious Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2024/25 ceremony last night (17/10)
Oscar Plomer, aged 17, from Bedford, was announced as the Gold award winner in the Canapé Competition and a Silver award winner in the ‘College Student of the Year’ category.
As part of the Canapé Competition, Oscar designed his own canapé which could be produced for a large number of guests. As the winner, Oscar got to work with the event caterers Portfolio Events to make his canapé which was served to the 450 guests attending the awards evening. His winning creation will also be added to the ‘House Canapé’ offering from Portfolio Events, catering for 25,000 people a year.
Double award winner
The winning canapé from Oscar was based on a classic beef wellington with beef fillet, shallots puff pastry and a number of other delicious ingredients which will remain a chef’s secret.
Following his double award win Oscar said:
“From a young age I always wanted to become a chef. My Mum had a catering business making custom cakes and I took my inspiration from her. When I took my first job in a kitchen I was a bit lost, but they threw me in at the deep end and I did a service on my first shift. Around a month into my job I started my course at Tresham College and have been studying at the same time as working in a busy kitchen with up to 300 covers a day.
“Having my canapé served at the event was nerve racking but such a rush. I got to go and work with Portfolio Events to create the canapé and to know that it will now feature on their menus at so many events is amazing. I am nearing the end of my course but I am excited and eager to see what the next year will bring.”
Andrew Robinson, Catering & Hospitality Course Manager at Tresham College added:
“I am very proud of Oscar and all he has achieved whilst with us at Tresham College. He works extremely hard holding down a very demanding job whilst still giving 100% to his studies. I am delighted his achievements were recognised at the awards last night and have no doubt he will be one to watch in the future as his career as a chef develops.”