After an intense two-hour cook-off, Benita Krestschmer from MTU Cork was crowned Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year 2024. This year six student chefs from across the country took part in the competition, which was hosted by MTU Cork.
To win, Benita and the other student chefs were challenged to prepare a two-course menu comprising main and dessert, inspired by this year’s theme ‘Modernised Comfort Food’.
For her main course, Benita prepared Tom Clancy’s Free-Range Chicken from West Cork filled with Dublin Bay Prawn, Spätzle, Lemon Veloute, Wild Garlic and Spring Vegetables. And for dessert, she prepared Parsnip & Orange Tart, Poached Vanilla Pear, Coffee Cremeux and Caramel.
Winning Silver Medal was Kieran Bolger from TUS Limerick, while the Bronze Medal was won by Rovin Marthamutu from TU Dublin – Tallaght.
The judging panel this year was made up of 2016 MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Gary Maclean, Executive Chef at The Brehon Hotel, Killarney, Chad Byrne and Audrey Crone, Executive Chef Ireland, Unilever Food Solutions.
