Rob’s Midas touch with pastry statue

Rob Stordy (right) in the kitchen with students.

Robert, who teaches on the university’s BA (Hons) Professional Culinary Arts degree course, won gold in the Salon Culinaire competition run by The University Caterers’ Organisation (TUCO) at Blackpool.

Robert spent two months designing and sculpting his ‘Work in Fat’, a breathtaking sculpture inspired by the work of Guido Reni and depicting St Michael preparing to slay the devil.

Made entirely from pastry margarine, it took top prize in the static display section.

Robert said: “The Salon Culinaire is a world class culinary competition and a fantastic opportunity to do something really creative.

“I was inspired by the work of Guido Reni in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and thought it would be a good challenge to try and reproduce it through sculpture in food.

“To have won a gold medal this year is really special.”

TUCO competitions showcase the work of some of the most talented people in the university catering sector, with staff from institutions across the UK invited to enter.