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 CanapĂ© Competition and a Silver award winner in the ‘College Student of the Year’ category.

As part of the CanapĂ© Competition, Oscar designed his own canapĂ© 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 canapĂ© 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.

Food and Drink awards winner
Oscar Plomer and Andrew Robinson, Food and Drink awards

Double award winner

The winning canapĂ© 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 canapĂ© served at the event was nerve racking but such a rush. I got to go and work with Portfolio Events to create the canapĂ© 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.”

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