Collaboration leads to success

Food and Consumer Management students from University College Birmingham have joined forces with Photography students at Sandwell College to produce a recipe and accompanying article suitable for publication in a top food magazine.

Students researched the magazines editorial style and with that in mind came up with recipes that were suitable for the month of publication and a commentary to accompany them. After testing and development of their recipes they were then matched with a photography student from Sandwell College to carry out a photo shoot, deciding together on lighting, background and presentation of the dish.

Finished projects were then judged by Tricia Dunbar, freelance food stylist and Marie Hill and Maggie Guy a designer and photographer from Cadbury Schweppes who also gave a demonstration of techniques to the students during the initial stages of the project.

The judges were very impressed by the high standards of all the work produced and described the work produced by the students as inspired however a winner had to be chosen and that was Vicky Walsh from University College Birmingham and Martin Cartwright from Sandwell College for their Asparagus and Goats cheese tart.

Mandy Lloyd, course lecturer was equally impressed "this year's results were excellent; it was obvious that the students had done thorough research and this was reflected in the quality of their photographs and recipes".

Food styling is a real career prospect for students on the food and Consumer Management with one student currently carrying out a 48 week placement with Jamie Oliver Limited and is closely involved in the preparation of food and its styling for photo shoots, TV ads, magazines and books.