The heat was definitely on in T7 (our Cookery Room) this morning, where it felt more like the kitchen of a top London restaurant! The pressure was palpable as the Year 9 Food & Nutrition students busily focused on the preparation and perfection of the dishes they had meticulously planned, for this local heat of the Rotary Young Chef Competition.
Their brief for the competition was to prepare a two-course healthy meal, comprising a main course and dessert for two people, costing less than £18.00, in just two hours.
Teacher, Mrs Callaghan said, “They’ve been planning and developing their menus since last half term and have worked on different recipes leading up to the competition. Today has been crazy but amazing! I’m really proud of the students, they’ve worked so hard.”
The team of judges had an extremely challenging task of choosing finalists from the remarkable array of dishes presented. Not only were the taste and presentation of the final dishes crucial, but the students were also judged on their planning and costing; healthy choices; the use of knives and equipment; the range of skills used; the neatness and hygiene of their working area; and the meal being served on time at the correct temperature.
Harley Nixon, one of the Year 9 students who took part, felt, “Good planning helped, I found it easy to do it step by step. It’s given me confidence to cook my own food.”
While Hannah Winkley, one of the winners, commented, “Two hours went very quickly.”
Very well done to all the entrants and congratulations to the top three who go on to the District Finals:
- 1st place: Alexandra Jamieson – Pizza & Chocolate Cheesecake
- 2nd place: Iona Loughrey – Chicken Burgers & Chocolate Cheesecake
- 3rd place: Hannah Winkley – Steak, Homemade Chips and Vegetables & Eton Mess
