COOKERY student MT Crumlish is hoping to win celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay round.

MT has impressed his production team with her kitchen skills and bubbly personality, and now hopes to secure a place on his latest series of The F Word.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Burnhead Street, Greenock, is currently training to be a chef at James Watt College. Previously she worked in factories, including IBM and Mimtec.

MT said: “I have always had a passion for cooking. I have a four-year-old son, Aidan, and I thought if I came to college I could get a better job.

“I would like to have my own business but it will take a few years.”

In the meantime, MT is eyeing success on television.

Gordon Ramsay believes the world needs a new female cook because he is fed up with the number of alpha-male chefs.

 In his new series of Channel 4’s hit show he wants to find a woman who can fill the shoes of the legendary TV cook Fanny Craddock.

MT said: “They asked me to send a video of myself talking. I sent the film in and they keep phoning and sending me emails.”

The prospect of coming face to face with the fiery Gordon does not phase MT. She said: “I think I would be a bit apprehensive. I think he would shout and bawl but I might shout and bawl back.

“Sometimes I can be a bit of a hothead. When I sent my application in I said I liked doing mixed martial arts. If he gives any cheek, he will get a punch.”

MT has already proved she can cope with the heat in the kitchen.

She said: “One day I set myself on fire. Someone closed an oven door and my apron got caught inside.” As the material burst into flames, MT calmly removed the apron and stamped out the flames.

MT is in regular contact with Gordon’s secretary and is waiting to find if she has been shortlisted for the programme.

 But when she spoke to the Tele, MT’s more immediate task was to smoke-roast salmon fillets Alabama style with the help of classmate Lisa McGrath, 19,

The duo, along with the rest of their class, had just three hours to prepare a three-course meal to be served by hospitality students in the college’s Ambition restaurant, which won Hospitality Assured accreditation last year.

Lisa, 19, who is studying SVQ food preparation and cooking and lives in Larkfield, said: “Once I finish college I hope to work in a restaurant and start my own restaurant.”

 In another part of the kitchen, Jonathan Strang has been tasked with roasting dozens of peppers. The 28-year-old, who lives in Greenock, said: “I am working on the starters — Louisiana crab cake with roasted pepper remoulade.”

Final-year student Jonathan had a head start in the cookery field because his family runs the Kilmartin Hotel in Argyll.

 When he is not at college, he has a part time job in the Greenock restaurant L’Arrechino.

Ambition is open to the public for lunch from noon between Tuesdays and Fridays during college term time but booking (on 554034) is essential. Themed events, such as the American lunch, are a regular feature on Fridays. Private functions can also be catered for.

Today’s American menu comprises appetisers of Idaho Potato Chow, Louisiana Crab Cake with Roasted pepper remoulade, hot wings served with New Mexico Black Bean Dip and salsa.

The main courses include Alabama smoke-roasted salmon fillet with pepper salad, New York style strip with saute onions and mushrooms served with a baked potato with sour cream and butter.

For dessert, diners can choose from lemon chiffon pie, Chicago fine-style cheese cake and strawberry shortcake.

Heather Easdale, 19, who lives in Wellington Way, Greenock, is in her second year of a hospitality supervision course. Making guests comfortable, Heather has dealt with a few challenging requests. She said: “Sometimes you will get a customer who orders lobster but wants the sauce separately and once we had a woman who wanted justthree starters. That was a bit confusing.”

Jessica Krummich is studying hospitality at James Watt as an exchange student from North Michigan University. She said: “The course here is very different from back home. Our course is based on customer service but here it is based on table etiquette.”

Having chosen the American theme, Jessica ended up being in charge of the restaurant with a waiting staff of 10 hospitality students.

Former care worker June Kerr, 56, who is in her second year of an HND in hospitality management, said: “I was looking for a change and because I was a care worker I am used to communicating with people and seeing to their needs.

“I wanted new job satisfaction.”

Local resident John Burleigh is a regular at the restaurant, which has fabulous views over Greenock.

He said: “It is a wonderful setting and the view and the service is fantastic.”

Retired nurse Nancy Leith and five of her friends have been visiting the restaurant every Friday lunch-time for nine years. When they started they paid just £3 a head. Today a two-course meal costs £5.50, with the option for three courses for £7.

Nancy said: “All the students are absolutely first class, very helpful.

“The food is always excellent and we never have to send anything back. The only thing I would change is that they are closed during the holidays and we have to go somewhere else.”     

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