Cookery skills were on the menu as pupils from various Wigan high schools showcased their talents as part of the Food and Drink Festival.
Held at Wigan Town Hall, students from across the borough took part in the festival’s first event ‘School Dinners.’
Mark Holmes, executive chef for MetroFresh, and presenter of the evening’s awards, was left impressed with the standard.
“Our schools are full of talented young people who are cooking up a treat,” he said.
“The standard not just of cooking but preparation and hygiene was of the highest order by all those who took part.”
The evening saw guests served the winning menus from the pupils, including a main of Scottish Salmon poached in wine with new potatoes, asparagus, broccoli and a mustard lemon sauce.
Looking for the next Gordon Ramsay or Nigella Lawson, judges voted Cansfield High School, Ashton the Kitchen Team of the Year at the awards on Thursday February 28.
They also took the prize for kitchen management, while The Deanery High School achieved the ‘Most Creative Menu’ award.
The ten-day festival is running until March 10 and is based around celebrating Wigan’s most famous export – the pie.
Keith Bergman, Food and Drink Festival organiser for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust explained the decision to focus on northern classic.
“We’ve had a fantastic start to the Food and Drink Festival with some quality events already,” he said.
“The Food and Drink Festival was established to show there are more culinary surprises to this town than the humble pastry snack.
“But we felt this year it was ‘pie time’ we celebrated a food that has become synonymous with Wigan over the years.”
Picture courtesy of Martin Cathrae via Flickr, with thanks
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