Students are Cool in the Kitchen for WorldSkills Regional Heats

Good luck to the six students from SERC who are representing the College in the Regionals Heats for WorldSkills, which is being held in South West Regional College in Omagh today.

Zara Shiels (29) originally from Limavady, and Marija Kuzaite (17) from Coalisland are both Level 2 Professional Bakery students based at Lisburn Campus, and will be competing alongside, Jack Regan and Marissa McIlwrath, both Level 2 Professional Bakery, Eimear McCarthy, from Level 3 Patisserie & Confectionery, and Megan Gilmore, again from the Level 2 Professional Bakery, and all from the Bangor Campus.

The students will be challenged to make eight chocolate snacking bars with different textures and a traditional baked lemon tart.   They will then be challenged with a mystery basket full of ingredients and have two hours to produce and plate up four desserts.   We have all seen ‘Bake Off’ so we know the pressure is on, but their tutors have told us they are all very well prepared.

Zara said, “I am excited but nervous and I am looking forward to the challenge.  I love going to the fridge to see what’s there and then deciding what I can bake.”  
Fellow student Marija said, “I am excited to be taking part in the competition and the further opportunities it may present.    The course has been fantastic, and I am looking forward to progressing to Level 3 Patisserie and Confectionery, and perhaps having the opportunity to undertake work experience abroad next year.”

Watch this space!   It has just been confirmed that the WorldSkills UK Finals for Culinary Arts will be held in Belfast this November.

Main picture L-R: Jack Regan (L2 Professional Bakery), Marissa McIlwrath (L2 Professional Bakery), Eimear McCarthy (L3 Patisserie & Confectionery), Megan Gilmore (L2 Professional Bakery)

Article picture L-R:  Zara Shiels and Marija Kuzaite both Level 2 Professional Bakery students based at Lisburn Campus,