Weymouth College student Alani Cook beats competition to win chef scholarship

Alani Cook, of Weymouth College, has won a prestigious three-year Specialised Chefs Scholarship after finishing first in her age category (16-18 years) at the Inspiring Culinary Generations Aspiring Student Chefs final on January 28.

The 17-year-old is now on her way to becoming one of the country's culinary elites after producing her competition winning dish - a pan-fried venison accompanied with celeriac puree and fondant, cavallo nero with a blackberry red wine jus.

READ MORE: Pair of Weymouth College students reach Aspiring Student Chefs final

Alani Cook, of Weymouth College, has won a prestigious three-year Specialised Chefs Scholarship after finishing first in her age category (16-18 years)

She said: "This was my first ever competition and I was really nervous.

"Cooking competitively in a unfamiliar environment was pretty strange, but I was so focused on my dishes.

"I did have a plan going forward after my course at Weymouth College but winning the Specialised Chef Scholarship is going to change that plan as I get the opportunity to experience areas of specialisation through the scholarship that I would have had to work extremely hard to access otherwise. I’m really going to make the most of it."

Launched in 2012, Inspiring Culinary Generations is a national cookery competition which is sponsored by Teflon™ non-stick coatings.

The competition offers the chance for non-professional cooks to gain recognition for their cooking ability at home and for those attending school and catering college to showcase what they have learnt.

Tanisha Ring, aged 18, also of Weymouth College finished as a finalist at the ICG Aspiring Student Chef 2022.

Miss Ring said: "I really enjoyed taking part in the competition and that’s really important I think as working under the pressure of a national competition is quite intense. I learned a lot and feel it has helped my confidence massively."

(LtR) Alani Cook, aged 17, and Tanisha Ring, aged 18, of Weymouth College

Ashley Perry, chef lecturer at Weymouth College, said: "I'm so proud of both Alani and Tanisha.

"Competitions like this one allow you to work with other aspiring chefs from across the UK – sharing ideas and an experience – and very importantly help to build practical emotional resilience.

"You will make mistakes in competition and your service, and it's what you learn and how you take it forward that is really important.

"Getting to the finals at all was a great achievement in itself and the judges added that the standard across the board this year was the best they had seen in a long time.

"I'm excited for the opportunity Alani has been given and can’t wait to see her seize every chance – which she will do – as she moves her career as a chef forwards and upwards."

Other winners included Siyana Kotecha, Leicester Grammar in the 11-13 years category, and Freddie Royston, King James School, Knaresborough in the 14-16 years category.

Alani's dish: a pan-fried venison accompanied with celeriac puree and fondant, cavallo nero with a blackberry red wine jus