“Michelin Starred Chef launches ‘Hotel TerraVina Fine Dining Challenge and Battle of the Counties’ at Bournemouth 
and Hampshire Collegiate Schools.”
Bournemouth Collegiate School pupils were enthralled as they listened to Michelin Starred Chef, Alan Murchison, in their whole school assembly.
Alan Murchison, who is a regular presenter on TV programmes such as BBC’s The Great British Menu, The Hairy Bikers and Market Kitchen, took time out of his busy schedule to come and talk to pupils about being a Chef and to launch an exciting Fine Dining Challenge to the pupils at Bournemouth Collegiate School and Hampshire Collegiate School.
Alan launched ‘The Hotel TerraVina Fine Dining Challenge – Battles of the Counties ‘ with an opportunity for the pupils to win an incredible prize and opportunity.
Pupils were challenged to create their own 3 course meal, explain their thinking and method behind their menu and to consider which ingredients will be used and sourced from the county that they live in.
Pupils must prepare either the starter or the desert from their menu and take a picture of themselves with their creation.
The entries will be judged in 2 categories: Years 7-9 and Years 10-13. One lucky winner from each category and school will have the opportunity to spend the morning at Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire where they will spend their time creating their dishes with the chefs.
They will also enjoy lunch at the Hotel. An overall winner will then be selected and the lucky winner will be invited to dine with their parents at Hotel TerraVina.
One of the winner’s dishes will also be served on the menu for a period of time. There might even be an opportunity for the winner to gain a place on the 10 in 8 group’s apprentice programme.
Alan said, "I am really looking forward to seeing the menus from the pupils.”
He advised the students, "It doesn't matter what your skill set is – science, art, sport, literature. This is an opportunity to show your skills in very different ways in this competition. I am anticipating that we will get very varied entries."
Alan continued and urged the BCS students, "Aim for excellence, set high standards and be passionate! Put lots of thought in to how you will source your ingredients from within Dorset"
Alan has gained experience and inspiration from working at a number of renowned restaurants including Inverlochy Castle and Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons where he spent two years as Senior Sous Chef before taking up his post as Director Ecole de Cuisine.
He is now the Executive Chef and co founder of the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group which recently joined forces with award winning, New Forest based hotel and restaurant, Hotel TerraVina.
He talked to the students about his job and of his time working for Raymond Blanc who he described as 'the best person that I've ever worked with'.
He talked about the wide variety of skills needed to be a chef and emphasized the need for a chef to have excellent people and communication skills.
"A good kitchen is very organised, everyone knows their role and understands what they need to do."
Nina, owner of Hotel TerraVina and MD of 10in8, said, “The competition is a great way of involving the students in a fun, exciting and stimulating project that will give them a real feel for local produce, working within the community and resourcing products. We wish both schools the best of luck!"
BCS Year 8 pupil, Ben Cavill added, “I’m looking forward to creating an interesting and tasty menu. At BCS we all want to make sure that Dorset wins this Challenge!”