Banff woman featured as ‘Masterchef of the Future’ on Masterchefs of Great Britain website
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A BANFF woman is currently being featured on the Masterchefs of Great Britain website as a ‘Masterchef of the Future’.
Rachel Blackwood is currently studying NQ Hospitality – gold – at within the hospitality and tourism academy (HATA) at Moray College, having returned to develop her cooking skills and gain confidence in the workplace after the birth of her daughter.
Rachel submitted her recipe for a tartlet of locally-landed brown crab, lemon and tarragon with Arran whisky cheddar, radish and pea salad with a honey mustard dressing to Masterchefs of Great Britain and was delighted to learn that it would be featured on the website.
The experience has been a step into the unknown for Rachel, but she has learned a lot.
She said: “I put my name forward because I thought it could be a fun experience and an opportunity to learn something new.
"I had never worked with live crab before, so this was certainly beneficial for me and I had a lot of fun experimenting with different ideas.
"The quality of the locally-landed shellfish was also a big reason for my interest. I would like to continue my studies in 2021/22.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Moray College UHI and I feel there is a lot available for me to learn and soak up.
"The HATA lecturers provide so much information, support and opportunity and it really enhances the education that I receive.
"I think that further study can advance my skill set and broaden my scope of knowledge within food and hospitality."
Alistair Fowlie, deputy head of curriculum, said: “Rachel was very quick to put herself forward for this opportunity and has really grabbed it with both hands.
"She is keen to learn and has really developed her skills since starting at college.
"She has ambitions to eventually establish her own business and a feature like this is a real confidence boost for someone with those aspirations.
"Her recipe uses some fantastic locally-landed crab and she has done a commendable job of practising her dish and pulling this together by herself whilst studying from home."
Graeme Watson, vice chairman of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, added: "Our main goal at The Master Chefs of Great Britain is to support and nurture today's catering students to become the Masterchefs of the future.
"Despite the current challenges caused by Covid-19, hospitality remains a fantastic, fun and exciting industry – with so many fabulous opportunities if you embrace all it has to offer.
"It is wonderful to see Rachel’s enthusiasm for the profession, willingness to learn and eagerness to tackle something new and technically challenging like a live crab.
"Faced with this challenge she has done both herself and Moray College UHI proud and I have no doubt if she carries on her career in this vein she will become a Master Chef in the future."
You can read more about Rachel by going to www.masterchefsgb.co.uk/rising-star/rachel-blackwood.
