Billy Wins National Final

Billy Frost won in the student category of the Escoffier Challenge.

A talented chef from Harworth, near Doncaster, has won the student category at the prestigious Escoffier Challenge National Final at the Cordon Bleu Catering School in London.

Billy Frost, 19, who trained to be a Chef at Doncaster College, will now go on to represent the United Kingdom at the European final in Belgium in 2011.

The Escoffier Challenge is a competition run by The Association Culinaire Française and is held across Europe. It brings together student and professional chefs to compete and show off their culinary skills in their respective categories.

Billy was chosen to enter the North West heats of the Escoffier Challenge in Greater Manchester last July because of his commitment, dedication and hard work. He then earned the right to battle it out with young chefs from across the country at the London final after winning his heat.

"It was a very, very nerve racking experience to perform in front of all the judges," said, Billy, "but after about ten minutes the nerves went and I cracked on and enjoyed it."

Billy had four hours to prepare a starter of poached fillet of sole with a nantua sauce followed by freestyle rack of lamb with apples and pumpkins.

The judges were very complimentary and one opined that his starter was "technically perfect."

After 2 years on a BTEC level 3 Hospitality and Catering course at Doncaster College, Billy now works as a Commis Chef in Goole. He has also spent some time working at the Ritz in London and his ambition is to open his own restaurant within the next ten years.

Billy is well thought of at the College and Jane Fishwick, Assistant Academy Director of Commercial Enterprise said, "Billy is an inspiration to his peers and an ambassador to the young catering students of Doncaster College."

Updated 09/11/2010