Sheffield College pastry lecturer Len Unwin and two of his students have put their patisserie skills to the test.
The team has created a striking centrepiece inspired by an outdoor exhibition at Chatsworth.
The award-winning College, which has a strong track record for training the next generation of catering and hospitality talent, maintains vital links to the industry.
The three-dimensional sculpture was crafted from 65 kilos of high quality chocolate, which was melted using two tempering machines and moulded into shape.
It was inspired by artist Christina Sporrong’s Flybrary sculpture, which has been on display during Radical Horizons, the Art of Burning Man at Chatsworth, an outdoor exhibition of monumental sculpture held on the estate in 2022.
Len Unwin, Curriculum Team Leader, Catering and Hospitality, The Sheffield College, said: “It was great to enable our students to use traditional patisserie skills and techniques for this ambitious project.”
He added: “Taking part in employer set briefs ensures that our students develop the skills that the catering and hospitality industry need. Our thanks go to Jason Kendra, Private Chef at Chatsworth House.”
Jason Kendra, Private Chef, Chatsworth, approached the College’s catering team and asked them to create a chocolate centrepiece for a prestigious dinner in the Great Dining Room at the start of October.
The chocolate was moulded onto angular shaped foam panels. Once it set, the panels were removed and the chocolate was carefully positioned into place.
Ruby Osborn and Amy Hobson, who are MSK Academy students at the College and completing Advanced Professional Cookery qualifications, were also involved.
Ruby, 19, said: “A lot of detail has gone into creating the sculpture including being able to accurately measure the different shaped panels.” She added: “It’s been a fun project that has enabled us to develop industry skills beyond those covered on our course.”
Amy, 19, commented: “I have never worked with chocolate before so this was all new to me. I enjoyed the project and learnt how to mould chocolate by using templates.”
Visitors to Chatsworth will be able to enjoy this chocolate centrepiece until the end of October. Find out more about our next open days.
Pictured: Len Unwin, Curriculum Team Leader, Catering and Hospitality, The Sheffield College, with students Ruby Osborn and Amy Hobson, at Chatsworth.
