Winning Chefs’ Prompt Dribbling

College has added a new trophy to its cabinet, as last week the kitchen team brought home the inaugural Oxford Guild of Chefs Five-a-Side Football Championship Cup.

Wolfson, led by Senior Sous Chef and team captain George Moore, faced a challenging, day-long competition last Sunday as they took on rivals from across Oxford’s culinary scene. Sixteen teams entered, all with their eyes on the Championship Cup.

Wolfson sailed comfortably through the initial group stage and made short work of the semi-final, eventually coming up against Magdalen College.

“The final was feisty,” said Moore. “We were already tired after four games, their team was young, and their goalkeeper was tall, fast, really good. We were working together to pass around him. It’s not just about having good individual players – it’s definitely about the team. You become predictable if you’re just feeding the ball to your star player. That’s what won it for us.”

Moore scored towards the end of the first half, putting Wolfson in the lead. Quick footwork from Chef de Partie and goalkeeper Matt Reader, with Juan Cespedes Franco in defence, meant Wolfson didn’t concede throughout the match, and when the final whistle blew Wolfson was 2-0 up. Wolfson beat out runners-up Magdalen College, St Anne’s College (3rd place) and Queen’s College (4th) to clinch the coveted title.

“It was a great event,” said Moore, “the day had a really good atmosphere and it was great to meet other chefs – we’ve all know each other by reputation but it was great to see them on the pitch. Just like in the kitchen, it’s not the power of one great player that makes the difference but the team effort. It’s about having the vision to work together rather than lose the ball.”

Michael Godfrey, executive chef, disciple d’escoffier and sometime pundit, described the victory as “outstanding.” Many congratulations to the team on their well-earned success.