Top chefs returned to Coleg Llandrillo, where they trained for a special gala dinner and raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Bryn Williams, the celebrity chef, was among the crew, who are now associated with big names like The Deganwy Quay Hotel, Dylan’s Restaurant Group, Carden Park in Cheshire, and Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire.

The alumni spent the day at the Rhos-on-Sea campus, preparing a four-course meal for guests at Orme View Restaurant, supported by current students.

Notably, the gala dinner was an initiative by their former tutor, Mike Evans, who is retiring after a near four-decade service at the college.

The culinary team included Danny Burke from Olive Tree, Jack Davison from Dylan’s Restaurant Group, and Dave Kelman from Estelle Manor.

Coleg Llandrillo lecturer Mike Evans (front right) with chefs before the Alumni Gala dinner at the Orme View Restaurant  (Image: Coleg Llandrillo)

Each of these top chefs cooked a different dish for the gala dinner, providing guests with an array of culinary delights.

Reflecting on the uniqueness of the event, Mr Evans said: "The food was amazing - it exceeded all expectations.

"Each dish was just getting better and better as we went through."

He further praised the collaborative spirit of the chefs in the kitchen, adding: "If one of them needed something, somebody else jumped on and gave them a hand.

"It ran like clockwork."

Regarding the student participation, Mr Evans continued: "As the day went on they got more and more involved, they embraced it.

"The front-of-house staff, which was probably 75% first-years, were incredible.

"You wouldn’t know they were just coming to the end of their first year, they were absolutely amazing."

Various chefs expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the college and Mike.

Mr Williams said: "Mike inspired me and many others over the years, so it was an honour to be involved in his farewell dinner.

"I’m very grateful for everything he taught me and I’m sure he will be sorely missed."

Echoing this sentiment, Mr Davison, from Dylan’s Restaurant Group, said: "Mike was a really big influence on me when I was at college."

Before adding: "He’s always been a constant in my career to go back to for advice."

The event was not only a celebration of culinary skill and alumni reunion, but also a successful charity fundraiser.

The evening raised £1,180 through a raffle and secret auction for Beat SCAD, a charity dedicated to supporting people affected by Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.