Warrington & Vale Royal College Level 2 Culinary Skills student Mollie-Ann McCardle recently showcased her exceptional talent on the international stage, competing in the prestigious CombiGuru Challenge hosted by commercial oven manufacturer, Unox, in Padua, Italy.
Mollie-Ann was one of only two female student competitors among a field of forty talented young chefs from across the UK, Spain, and Italy, making her achievement even more remarkable. Each participant was tasked with creating two vibrant and innovative dishes: a main course featuring broccolini and a dessert incorporating coffee beans.
For Mollie-Ann, the competition marked a series of firsts, including her first time travelling abroad. Accompanied by her tutors from Warrington & Vale Royal College, she travelled from Manchester Airport to Northern Italy, embracing the local culture and preparing diligently for the challenge. Before the competition, late into the night, Mollie-Ann and her Hospitality & Catering Lecturer, Cavan Shepard, fine-tuned the menu for the big day.
Mollie with tutors, Cavan and Lilliana
Mollie-Ann crafted two exceptional dishes for the competition. Her main course showcased a fillet steak served with Lyonnaise potatoes, caramelised onion purée, and a rich red wine sauce. Mollie-Ann was the only participant who incorporated steak into her dish, highlighting her innovative approach. For dessert, she presented a decadent chocolate fondant accompanied by Chantilly cream and crystallised coffee beans.
Her creations earned broad recognition from the international judging panel, with judges praising her main dish as “cooked to perfection.” Mollie-Ann secured joint 1st place for the ‘taste of the main’ criteria of the judging process and joint 2nd place for the ‘taste of the dessert.’ She also achieved the highest marks for ingredient selection, and her chocolate fondant was described as “immaculate” by several esteemed chefs.
Following the competition, the competitors embarked on an unforgettable day trip to Venice, where they soaked up the vibrant culture, glided through the city’s famous canals on a traditional boat ride, and explored its most iconic landmarks with the help of an expert guide.
Reflecting on her journey from Padgate Academy to Italy, Mollie-Ann shared: “This was the first competition I have ever taken part in, so it was a huge learning curve. The techniques and skills I learned during my time at college have really helped me create and perfect my dishes. Practicing in the college’s industrial-standard kitchens made me feel so much more confident and prepared for working in a professional environment. I can’t thank my tutors enough!”
Mollie-Ann’s outstanding performance in the CombiGuru Challenge is a testament to her dedication, skill, and the high-quality training she has received at the college. Her success has been celebrated by tutors and peers alike and marks an exciting beginning to what promises to be a bright future.
For students that have not yet applied to study at college in September 2025, Warrington & Vale Royal College are still accepting places on a number of courses. Head to wvr.ac.uk/16-18 to find out more and apply now.
