THE CULINARY skills of students at City College Plymouth shone through at a recent regional competition where they bagged 41 medals.

Held at South Devon College, the Major Series competition, which is sponsored by the Craft Guild of Chefs, saw 44 students from the college's catering and hospitality courses walk away with 13 gold medals, nine silver medals, 11 bronze medals and nine certificates of merit.

Helen Marshall, deputy head of business and leisure industries, said: "The students spent a lot of time preparing and practising for the competition, with the supervision of their tutors, and were excited about the opportunity to compete against their peers from other colleges.

"Students at the college benefit from exceptional facilities including four newly refurbished training kitchens and a demonstration theatre, as well as a 70-seat fine dining restaurant.

"These facilities match industry standards and enable the highly qualified teaching team to pass on their skills and breadth of knowledge to students."

Open to all further education colleges, the competition's categories included a live culinary challenge, cocktail making and a cook and serve flambé demonstration.

Callum Foale, who is studying a diploma in Professional Cookery and Food Service, won a gold and silver medal. He said: "Taking part in the competition was a great opportunity and I am ecstatic that I won."

The winners of the regional heats will now go on to the national finals.