National Competition Experience for Athicha at Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year in Athlone

Proving she can stay cool in the kitchen, Athicha Rafferty, put her skills and experience to the fore for an all-island competition earlier this month.

Athicha (21), from Downpatrick, progressed from the Level 2 in Culinary Skills to the Level 3 Patisserie and Confectionery at SERC’s Downpatrick Campus.   She said, “I’ve always been cooking and baking at home, so I decided SERC was the place for me following school.   I love everything I am learning, and my tutor Thomas is full of encouragement, pushing me to try new things and experiment. I was delighted he recommended me for entry in the Knorr ® Professional Student Chef of the Year in Athlone."

She added, “I knew I was up for the challenge, and I loved the brief ‘cook local, act global’ which was about using locally sourced ingredients.   My dishes comprised pan fried pollock with a seafood bisque and a rhubarb crumble tart with custard, rhubarb jelly and rhubarb and gin sorbet. “Competitions are a great boost for my confidence.   It is really learning not to sweat the small things and the old adage ‘practice makes perfect.”

Lecturer Thomas Turley said, “We are very proud of Athicha.   She had an amazing experience which also included feedback from special guest judge chef, restauranteur and author JP McMahon and senior executives from Unilever Food Solutions UK and Ireland.”

SERC Hospitality and Catering students, including Athicha, will be taking part in the 25th anniversary of IFEX, Northern Ireland’s premier showcase of foodservice, retail and hospitality sectors at the Titanic Exhibition Centre  29 – 31 March. Watch this space.