18 Apr 2019
Co-run by LACA and the Craft Guild of Chef, the Finishing Touches culinary salon took place during this year’s LACA: The Main Event (11-12 July) – providing entrants the chance to show off their skills.
Now in its 11th year, the competition is aimed at all levels of staff employed across education catering, who are capable of creating craft pieces.
Having impressed judges: Steve Munkley (Craft Guild of Chefs); Nick Wort (House of Commons); Matthew Shropshall (UCB); Lesley Herbert; Paul Taylor (Hilton Birmingham Metropole); Nick Hollands (former Royal Garden Hotel); and Leanne Oliver-Pulford (2017 Best in Show winner) with her filled/covered sponge entry, Jean Potter from HCL Ltd took home Best in Show 2018.
With three new categories for 2018, including 50% fruit dessert, cheesecake and sculpted or carved cake, the full list of results is as below:
Best in Class results:
- 50% fruit dessert - Jenny Babbington, Educaterers
- Apple pie/tart - Helen Goode, BAM FM
- Biscuits - Ellen Crookes, South Tyneside County Council
- Cake suitable for a secial diet - Jacqui Law, Kea School
- Cheesecake - Adel Bentley, Taylor Shaw
- Chocolate truffles - Joana Gaspar, Taylor Shaw
- Cupcakes - Anne Kavanagh, ISS Foodservices
- Decorated celebration cake - Julie Murray, Educaterers
- Decorated novelty cake - Kerry Lancett, City Catering
- Filled and/or covered sponge - Jean Potter, HCL Ltd
- Floral sugarcraft display piece - Rachel Kirk, Taylor Shaw
- Individual fruit tarts - Elena Day, Caterlink
- Sculpted or carved cake - Helen Saunders, Stockton Borough Council
- Traybake - Lesley Hockley Wright, Surrey Commercial Services
Best in show:
- Filled and/or Covered Sponge - Jean Potter, HCL Ltd