College chef picks up prestigious award from head chef of The Ritz
THE Worshipful Company of Cooks has presented its annual award to a young chef from Loughborough College.
Brannon Underwood received the prestigious Cherry Grainger prize at a formal event held in the City of London.
Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1482, but with a history which can be dated back to around 1170, The Worshipful Company of Cooks is one of the City’s oldest Livery Companies and champions excellence in cooking through industry activity and by offering support and assistance in education and training, particularly for young people.
Before he arrived at Loughborough College, Brannon had been branded unteachable and was once excluded from school nine times in one month. But since joining the course in hospitality and catering, he has gone from strength to strength.
The 17-year-old has won a string of top national culinary accolades and recently so impressed judges at the Riso Gallo Young Risotto Chef of the Year finals that he was presented with a special prize, an invitation to train at the two Michelin star London restaurant Bibendum.
Loughborough College hospitality and catering lead and chef lecturer Darren Creed said: “Brannon had zero confidence or self-belief when he joined us but with great personal determination and guidance from his tutors, he has made a quantum leap into an exceptional young caterer.
“He has a real thirst for knowledge and a hunger to develop his practical skills and he produces work of a very high standard - but he is always modest, helpful and willing to put others before himself.
“To see a lad who was once nervous walking into a room, at a formal City of London event going up to accept the prestigious Cherry Grainer prize from the Worshipful Company of Cooks was incredible. We are very proud.”