A SOUTHAMPTON college has created a special award in memory of a teenager who died at Bournemouth beach.

City College Southampton hosted the Inter College Culinary Challenge last week which saw five colleges and around 70 students from across Hampshire take part.

Joe Abbess, 17, was a culinary student at the college when he passed away on May 31 after getting into difficulty in the water off Bournemouth Beach.

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So to honour him, the college named their student of the year award the Joe Abbess Memorial Award - which was won by Olivia Leigh from Eastleigh College.

Simon Hart, Senior Teacher in Hospitality at City College Southampton, said: "It was great to run the best overall student category and name it after one of our rising stars that tragically died earlier this year. The ‘Joe Abbess memorial award’ will allow us to create a legacy for him.”

The teenager was previously described as a "kind, caring, and bright" young man by his friends who was on his course.

City College Southampton, Eastleigh College, Fareham College, Basingstoke College of Technology, and City of Portsmouth College all took part in the challenge on June 20.

The competition saw students show off their culinary skills, cocktail and mocktail making, professional table lay-up, pasta making, and other hospitality skills.

Simon added: “I find student competitions a great way to stretch learning and to help get them ready for the workplace.

"It gives students the opportunity to excel and a competitive edge required in the industry.

"It is important that students enjoy what they are doing if they are going to progress into head chef/manager roles and this is often the first step on that journey.

"Students have the opportunity to talk and learn from the experienced judges, so they are able to improve their skills going forward.

"It is invaluable to have Harvest foods and Essential cuisine as well as other industry sponsors willing to donate their time, products and experience that allows us to run such events."

Fiona King from City College Southampton won the Gold Best for pasta class, Jamie Rowe from Eastleigh College won Gold Best for gallon rice risotto, and Olivia Leigh from Eastleigh College won Gold Best for vegetable cuts.

Jonty King from Fareham College won Gold Best for the mystery box challenge, Maddison Lipscombe from Eastleigh College won Gold Best for restaurant table lay up, and Sam Jurd from Eastleigh College won Gold Best for mocktail or cocktail making.

Jonty King, who is studying level two professional cookery, said: “I entered the competition as I want to embrace Fine Dining and combine it with travelling the world when I finish my course."

Nicole Toni, a City College Southampton student studying level one culinary skills added: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my course and hopefully one day will open my own B&B or restaurant."