HOSPITALITY students from Basingstoke College of Technology cooked up a storm with some of Hampshire’s top chefs.

The students assisted the chefs in demonstrating a range of dishes as part of the Milford-on-Sea Food Week at the South Lawn Hotel.

The event was organised by Hampshire Fare, who help promote the benefits of buying and using locally sourced ingredients from across the county.

BCoT students Liam Kemp and Jake Ewington were joined by students from Eastleigh College and Highbury College to cook in front of a live audience while producing high quality food. T

he students worked alongside Andy MacKenzie from Lainston House Hotel, Winchester, Dan Gover from The Pig Hotel, New Forest and BCoT lecturer Adam Harty to prepare and present their chosen dish.

Before the event several of the students admitted to feeling nervous about going on stage in front of a large number of foodies.

However, the experience of the chefs on hand put the group at ease and they really grew in confidence.

Tracy Nash from Hampshire Fare said by pairing the students up with an experienced chef gave them the experience of being in a working environment.

She said: “The students absolutely loved it and we are lucky to work with chefs who are passionate about the local ingredients available to them.

“Many of these students haven’t done anything like this before and they have really had to overcome some nerves to get up on the demo kitchen.”