The Marlborough branch of the restaurant Brasserie Gérard is demonstrating its ongoing support for St. John’s with a new competition for students.

To celebrate its first year in Marlborough the High Street restaurant has launched the 2011 Cookery Challenge. The Challenge is aimed at sixth form students who have been asked to design and cook ideas for the restaurant’s specials board.

The food, based on a “Simple French cuisine” theme will be cooked and presented to a panel of judges at an evening event at 6pm on Monday February 7th at St. John’s, who will select the winners. The three winning specials (one starter, main course and dessert) will then be featured on the restaurant’s menu for a month and Brasserie Gérard will give a donation to St. John’s every time at “St. John’s Special” is ordered. The one item that sells the most will be the overall winner.

A range of prizes are being offered by the restaurant including a week’s work experience in the restaurant and meals in the restaurant,

St. John’s Headteacher Dr Patrick Hazlewood is keen to have strong links with the local business community. “We have an excellent relationship with Brasserie Gérard staff who have organised several fundraising initiatives for St. John’s during their first year in the town” he explained. “The competition offers our older students an opportunity to gain real experience of restaurant catering, working to constraints set by professional chefs. I hope this can become a regular event in our calendar”.

Everyone is welcome to come and watch the Masterchef-style cook-off take place and there will be no admission charge. A licensed bar will be available and Brasserie Gérard will be providing a range of their canapés. For more information contact St. John’s Events Organiser Kate O’Connor on 01672 519537.

Picture from William Cho's Photostream on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adforce1/