Walsall College Catering students received a masterclass in Indian cookery on Tuesday 28th June, when professional chefs from Five Rivers á La Carte restaurant in Walsall visited the college to show students how to prepare a range of authentic Indian dishes. Fine-dining north Indian restaurant, Five Rivers opened in Walsall in 2012 by a group of award-winning caterers, and in its first year won the West Midlands ‘Best Newcomer’ category at the national finals of the British Curry Awards. The restaurant has also received several listings in acclaimed good food guides, while Group Executive Chef, Rashpal Sunner has been honoured with an ‘Ethnic Chef of the Year’ accolade and even prepared food for the likes of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton!
Curriculum Manager for Hospitality and Catering at Walsall College, David Higgins, said: “Sessions like these, delivered by industry professionals are a great complement to the core study programme aimed at developing students’ cooking knowledge and skills. We incorporate a number of masterclasses into the course throughout the year as they help to further increase students’ knowledge of the sector, help expand horizons and provide an insight into the types of career paths that await them.”
Catering student, Rhia Tolley, said: “I really enjoyed the lesson and I now know how to blend spices to make a curry paste, and use this as a base to create a variety of authentic Indian dishes including tandoori duck and amritsari fried fish.”
The students have also had masterclasses with Carters of Moseley, and food brands Quorn and British Turkey.
