Leeds City College Hosts Charity Cook-Off for Candlelighters

Local organisations and students unite to raise funds for childhood cancer support

Leeds City College recently hosted a cooking competition in aid of Candlelighters, a Leeds-based children’s cancer charity. The event took place at the college’s Printworks campus kitchens and brought together teams from various local organisations to compete and raise funds.

Competition Details and Participants

The cook-off followed a ‘ready steady cook’ format, with each team tasked to prepare a main course and a pudding within two hours. Ingredients were supplied by Company Shop Group, a UK redistributor of surplus food. Teams had 30 minutes to plan and select their ingredients before cooking commenced.

Ten teams, each consisting of two members, took part in the event. Participants included staff from Dovetail & Slate, Leeds College of Building, Intuitive Business Intelligence, and members of Leeds City College’s parent organisation, Luminate Education Group. The competition was hosted by celebrity chef and presenter Briony May Williams.

Student Involvement and Support

Level 2 and Level 3 Culinary Skills students from Leeds City College assisted the teams during the competition, offering support and culinary advice. This provided an opportunity for students to apply and demonstrate their skills in a practical setting.

Results and Fundraising

The event raised a total of £5,290 for Candlelighters. Joanne Patrickson, Director of Business Development at Luminate Education Group, and Kelly McAllister, Group Director of Apprenticeships, were announced runners-up for their dish, which impressed the judges.

Statements from Organisers and Participants

• Sue Patterson, Trustee at Candlelighters, described the event as “an amazing success” and highlighted the importance of collaboration in supporting the charity.
• Andrea Cowans, Director of Student Life at Luminate Education Group, noted the value of bringing businesses and charities together and praised the skills demonstrated by the student helpers.
• Natalie Wilson, Group Vice Principal – Curriculum and Skills, reflected on the event’s positive impact on learners and the opportunity it provided for students to develop and share their expertise.
• Emma Bexon, Deputy Head of Department for Travel, Food and Drink at Leeds City College, expressed pride in the students’ professionalism and teamwork during the event.

About Candlelighters

Candlelighters is a charity that provides emotional, practical, and financial support to families affected by childhood cancer. It also invests in research aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for children with cancer.

Funds raised from the cook-off will directly support families across Yorkshire impacted by childhood cancer.