For Josh Zitha the last few weeks have been something of a whirlwind.
He went from cooking six canapés in the final of BASC’s Game On cookery competition, to making 280 just a week later for the guests at the Eat Game Awards at Soane Hall, Marylebone.
The student, from Oxford City College, was the proud winner of the Lincolnshire Game sponsored competition as his partridge wellington wowed the judges, which included last year’s Eat Game Champion of Champions Joe Mann, to beat the eight other finalists.
The cook-off took place at Westminster College, London, and the students were given 90 minutes to cook six of their partridge canapés and the results were outstanding.
We saw dishes inspired from all corners of the world – from bao buns and fajitas to gyozas and polti – as well as more traditional dishes including pies, Scotch eggs and bon bons.
Paul Williamson, BASC head of land and wildlife management, who was part of the judging panel said: “We were all absolutely blown away by the standard of canapés that were delivered just 90 minutes.
“All of the students started with the same main ingredient but the dishes that were created could not have been more different.
“The winning canapé from Josh not only showed a high level of skill but the flavours combined so well. It was also a visually stunning dish, and we were all left wanting more. I can’t wait to try it again.”
The main part of the brief was to create a canapé that could be recreated for hundreds of guests, at the Eat Game awards, by the student in a professional kitchen.
It’s fair to say Josh adapted well to the challenge and, with the help of his sous chef, lecturer Gary Witchells, he prepared his canapés for all the guests to try before being able to enjoy the awards and sample the rest of the food served on the night.
“It was a great experience to get to see how other chefs work and to get to introduce what I cooked to so many people,” said Josh. “It’s been an amazing experience; it was one thing cooking six of the canapés, but then having to make 280 was definitely a step up.
“The whole experience has really lit the fire in me, and I’ve met some great people who do a lot of things with game. I’m just looking to learn more and just push on with it all now.”
Josh also received a set of Flint & Flame knives as part of the prize. However, the surprises didn’t stop there as the 18 year old was also invited to spend a week in the One Dining kitchen with head chef Rob Arnot.
