Nicola and friends impress French palates with the best of British tradition

The dessert baked by Nicola Chambers, a second year catering and hospitality student at the Doncaster College for the Deaf, won acclaim when she was part of the college group invited to France.

Along with fellow students Danielle Ryan and Lucinda Waudby, 18-year-old Nicola travelled to the French village of Bourgneuf as part of a college initiative to expose students to European food, and to raise their cultural awareness.

They prepared a buffet for the villagers using local produce. Nicola’s crumble was so popular she had to dish out the recipe before the group left.

Nicola has also been tingling the tastebuds of diners at the Eagle and Child pub in Auckley as part of a work placement where she also bakes apple crumble.

Her pud has been hailed “a huge success” by the pub’s owner Margaret Bayne.

Nicola said: “It was great to work at the Eagle and Child. It gave me a chance to work in a real kitchen environment and it was really good fun.

“The trip to France also meant we could sample another culture and cuisine and the people really liked what we did for them. It was a good experience.”

Course leader Linda Johnson, who accompanied the students on their trip across the Channel, said: “The girls were a credit to themselves and the college. They really showed what they are capable of and enjoyed the French food and culture.

“It was a pleasure to see them in action and it was fantastic to see Nicola’s apple crumble being so well received.”