BUDDING cooks got a taste of the future when they learnt to became young patisserie chefs.

Year 10 pupils from 10 different schools, including Canon Slade, visited Blackburn College for four Saturday morning sessions to get a vaulable insight into the facilities and opportunities available within the catering department.

Blackburn College’s chef lecturer and bakery section technician, Mr John Oldham, was impressed with the high standards on show.

He commented: “All the students were excellent.

“They learnt the craft of making hand-baked bread and they also made staple dishes such as plate potato pies and vegetable pies — nutritious, great value and perfect for learning how to look after themselves.

“They also cooked up a treat with their desserts, including sticky toffee pudding and fruit pies.”

On the final Saturday, the students made a buffet for 135 people including their friends and family to showcase their skills and dishes.

“Feedback from the students was that they wished that the course could have gone on for longer and the chef lecturers were all blown away with how keen the students were and the standard of their dishes,” added Mr Oldham.

Seven of the students will be joining Blackburn College in September on one of their wide variety of catering and hospitality courses.