Warwick Conferences, a collection of meeting venues on the University of Warwick campus, last week hosted The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) Competitions 2017 (10-11 April) for the second consecutive year.
The annual skills competition organised by TUCO saw over 50 members and 150 delegates from universities across the UK compete against each other in a wide range of activities in a bid to showcase their culinary talents within Higher and Further Education.
The event made use of both the Rootes Building and Warwick Arts Centre, with the former venue hosting the Bar Skills competition, Speed Cook, Cook & Serve and the Chefs’ Challenge. Butterworth Hall in Warwick Arts Centre hosted the Salon Culinaire and Barista Skills competition, while social dinners took place in both venues, as well as Scarman.
The University of Warwick achieved five Gold Awards during the competition with Dana-Maria Danut, one of the baristas in the Café Bar, winning Gold in the TUCO 2017 Barista Skills Competition. Dana had to compete in a live ten minute competition producing two espressos, two cappuccinos and two espresso-based, non-alcoholic speciality drinks. The University of Warwick was also represented in this competition by Mirko DeLorenzis from Café Oculus.
Additional Gold winners from the University of Warwick included Phil Thorpe, Zoran Zivkovic and Samantha Chick (Cook & Serve Challenge); Hayley Fry (Cookie Challenge – Best in Class); Mary Fry (Decorative Exhibit – Best in Class); and Peter Fry (Plated Main Course – Best in Class). David Webb took home Silver in the Campus Speed Cook Challenge, while Hayley Fry received a merit in the Cup Cake Challenge.
Clive Singleton, General Manager, Conference Park & Events, said, “We were delighted to once again host the annual TUCO Competitions at the University of Warwick. The competition utilised both the Rootes Building and Warwick Arts Centre meaning we were more than able to accommodate the number of competitors, as well as the different competitions and setups.
“It was also fantastic to see so many of the University of Warwick team announced as Gold winners at the Gala Awards dinner, which took place in the Butterworth Hall on the final day. All in all it was a very successful event.”