A group of Hospitality Management and Professional Cookery students from Forth Valley College served up success at the recent ScotHot competition.
Held at the SEC in Glasgow on 26 and 27 February, the event attracted over 220 exhibitors and 7,000 visitors across the two days, along with a wide range of competitors from colleges and businesses across Scotland.
FVC students demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the competitions, bringing home numerous awards across the two day event.
Achievements:
- Cara Couper and Wiktoria Kaleta: Hygiene award and Merit for Sustainable Fish Dish
- Ryan Brown: Bronze for Mixology
- Craig Thomson: Merit for Napkin Folding
- Luigi Berardino: Bronze for Fish Filleting, Bronze and Hygiene award for Chicken for Sauté, and Silver for Lamb Filleting
- Makenzie McFarlane: Bronze for Caesar Salad
- Nahui Keiss and Robbie Stoddart: Bronze for Street Food
- Connor McGinley: Bronze for Chicken for Sauté
- Naimh Gordon: Bronze for Chicken for Sauté
Luigi Berardino (45) from Bathgate, who is studying for a HNC Professional Cookery, and who won two bronze and one silver award at the event, said: “I liked the challenge of the competition. The best bit for me was the lamb challenge, where I had to prepare the meat ready for cooking and make sure each piece was the same size. I am happy because the judges gave me some good feedback. I would certainly compete again as it helps to improve your practical skills. I push myself at the College and on this course. It is not that close to where I live, but it is worth it coming here to learn these skills. I would recommend it 100 per cent.”
Ryan Brown (27) from Deanston who is studying for a HND Hospitality Management, won a Bronze award for his Mixology and creating eight cocktails in 20 minutes and his own mocktail - the Pear Ginger Delight.
However, there was drama just before the start of the competition.
Lecturer Michal Tomaszewski, said: “We went to pick up all the equipment needed for the cocktail making competition. We realised that some of the glasses had smashed in the van, leaving us without enough to enter the competition.
“Eve McLeod, an HNC Professional Cookery student, took it upon herself to find the glasses we needed. She went around to all the exhibitors and asked if they had four spare glasses for our Pear & Ginger Delight mocktail.
“At the last minute, she managed to get the glasses and ran to the competition stand where Ryan was just about to start. It was wonderful to observe the teamwork and commitment from our students. Ryan was able to compete and was awarded a bronze medal for his efforts!”
Ryan, said: “It was good fun and I enjoyed it and loved the competitive aspect to it as it really helps with your confidence. I have already told my lecturers I want to do it again.
“The course is good and I am learning so much and it is changing me as a person. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.”
Karyn King, FVC Operations Manager in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries, said: "We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements at ScotHot 2025. Their hard work, creativity, and dedication have truly paid off, and they have represented our College with excellence. This success is a testament to the quality of education and training provided by our lecturing team, preparing our students for successful careers in the industry.
“We are incredibly proud of their success and the way they have represented our College. Congratulations to all the students for their outstanding performance!”
