Playing a core role at Arboretum’s Apple Day

Trainee chefs at Walsall College took part in a golden delicious cooking challenge, which saw them creating many apple-based dishes for a community event at Walsall Arboretum.  The Apple Day took place at the Orchard Pavilion.

It involved hospitality students serving soups and sweet treats made from some of the 400kg of apples that fell from the Pavilion’s trees in September.  Dishes included beetroot and apple soup, celeriac and apple soup, toffee apple flapjacks, apple pie and strudel.

The Apple Day featured a bouncy castle, crafts, a raffle and apple-based games. New music choir, Voices Entwined also performed.

Fiona MacMillan, Walsall Arboretum User Group (WAUG) Volunteer and Apple Day organiser said: “This annual event is a lovely way to bring the community together and celebrate the changing seasons.

“We’re grateful to the college for their support.  This is the fifth year we held the Apple Day and we were pleased that so many people came along to join in the fun.”

Apples from the pavilion were also donated to local food banks and organisations who prepare meals for others.

David Higgins, Curriculum Manager at Walsall College added: “This was a fun way for students to discover how apples can add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes.  They always enjoy serving their food to others across the wider community because it’s such a valuable way for them to develop their professional skills.”