A Loughborough College student trio arrived in Portugal to a warm welcome from two Michelin star chef Henrique Sa Pessoa after scooping major prizes at the prestigious UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year grand final.
For Kieran Rudolph, Ryan Archer and Grace McGreal, a day spent with Henrique and his team in his atelier, or development kitchen, before enjoying an evening meal at the chef’s renowned Alma restaurant in Lisbon, were amongst the highlights of a cultural and culinary study tour of the country’s capital and surrounding area.
With Kieran and Ryan in the kitchen and Grace front of house, the Loughborough College team, representing its Radmoor Restaurant, joined four other teams from across the country for the 2019 national showdown, before being announced as prize winners.
“To round off that day at Alma, sitting at the chef’s table with a full view of everything happening in the kitchen, and then to be joined by Henrique was amazing for our students – and only one part of an outstanding prize,” said chef lecturer and hospitality and catering lead at Loughborough College, Darren Creed.
“We had the chance to eat at Henrique’s tapas restaurant Tapisco and at a traditional place recommended by him in the Time Out Market in Terreiro do Paco Square - and it was worth every one of the 45 minutes we spent queuing at the bakery Pasteis de Belem to sample their famous Pasteis de Nata pastries. We also visited the National Palace of Pena, a monastery and a vineyard.
“It was an unbelievable opportunity and we cannot thank Henrique enough for being such an outstanding host and incredible inspiration – and to sponsors MSK for supporting the whole experience. Our students were blown away.”
Kieran added: “The study tour in Portugal was the trip of a lifetime. I am so glad me and my team overcame our nerves and decided to enter the competition! I learnt so much during the tour about the Portuguese culture and the diversity of their food. It makes me appreciate the industry we are in to see the staff at Alma and how passionate and dedicated they are.”
“I really enjoyed Lisbon and learning all about its culture,” said Grace. “It was an amazing experience that I will remember forever and I will take on board everything I learnt.”
Kieran, Ryan and Grace’s team was one of two from Loughborough College which made it to the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year final five line up, with each team challenged to cook and serve a Portuguese-themed three-course menu, including pre-arrival cocktail and speciality coffee to finish the meal, and to select a starter and main course wine.
Fellow Hospitality and Catering students Toby Booty, Finlay Royle and Isabel Morris took the Best Service title and scooped the award for Best Use of Living Ingredients.
Grace, Kieran and Ryan were awarded Best Menu and the Ignite for Innovation accolades and following their amazing Portugal prize, will soon spend a day with the UK’s representative in the Bocuse D’Or, the world-renowned cooking competition, at Michelin-starred Simpson’s in Birmingham.
Pictured: Two Michelin star chef Henrique Sa Pessoa (centre), joined by development chef Pedro Larcher (far left) welcome Loughborough College students (from left) Grace McGreal, Ryan Archer and Kieran Rudolph to Lisbon restaurant Alma after they scooped top prizes at the 2019 UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year final