Venice cookery competition beckons for Owen and Mandy

Tuesday 21st April 2026

Teenage Professional Cookery student Owen Berry, is set to cook up a storm at a prestigious competition in Venice, Italy next week (28-30 April).

Owen (16) a Professional Cookery City and Guilds Level 2 student from Laurieston in Falkirk had to work his way through two stages before being invited to take part in the event, and has been mentored over the last few weeks by Forth Valley College Chef Lecturer Mandy Fraser, as he prepares to take part in the UNOX CombiGuru Challenge.

The event takes place in the oven manufacturer's Venice headquarters, and requires each finalist to create a two course meal (main and dessert) within a 90 minute to three hour time limit using mystery ingredients and using the CombiGuru UNOX oven.

The trip includes a 'Venice Experience' tour of the famous city - which both Owen and Mandy have never visited - and lunch at a Michelin star restaurant. Previous students winners have won UNOX oven and kitchen equipment for their colleges.

Chef Lecturer Mandy Fraser, said: "Owen has been coming in over the Easter holidays, staying late and working through breaks to practice his main and dessert courses for this challenge and his confidence has been building steadily. I am proud of how he has prepared and I can't wait to see him in action in Venice."

Owen said: "I have enjoyed the experience of preparation and I am now quite excited at the thought of travelling to Venice for this challenge and I am looking forward to it. I will give it my best shot and see what happens."

For more information visit https://www.combiguruchallenge.com/en_gb/  

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