Young master chefs of the future put their culinary skills to the test last week at Bradley Stoke Community School as they competed in a hard-fought cooking competition.
The six hopefuls, all pupils at the Bradley Stoke school, were taking part in the local round of the Young Chef of the Year competition, organised by Bristol Aztec Rotary Club.
Each competitor was set the task of preparing a two course meal for two, comprising of a main course and a desert, on a budget of £10.
Margaret Qoura of the Rotary Club explains:
“The idea behind the competition is to help students learn about the importance of a balanced diet and to offer an opportunity for them to enhance their cooking skills by using an inspiring scenario familiar to them from television cookery programmes.”
“The aims are that all the competitors are able to gain a sense of pride and achievement with credit being given for the wise use of time and money, a healthy choice of dishes, good planning, hygiene and presentation.”
Dishes cooked on the night included chicken, tuna, prawns, moussaka and deserts such as crumble and cheesecake.
Judging was carried out by Mike Riordan, Head Chef at the Aztec Hotel, Adrian Kirikmaa, Restaurant Manager at the City of Bristol Academy, and John Kelly of South Gloucestershire Education Authority.
After a very close run contest, the winner of a £30 Mall voucher, a book on kitchen knife skills and the right to move forward to the district contest was Megan Easton.
Students taking part in the competition were: Matt Carrington, Tom Cook, Megan Easton (winner), Ben Field (runner up), Sam Reed and Jake Walker.
Susan Bamber-Powell, Senior Vice President of Bristol Aztec Rotary Club, who awarded the prizes and certificates, said:
“It was one of those evenings that reminded me why I am in Rotary – to give the students a chance at cooking in a professional situation, to see the huge effort they put in, and even after the winner had been announced and the clapping and prize giving was over, to see them laughing and joking as they washed up was great.”
“To hear their hopes and dreams for the future, Ben, Sam and Jake to go into catering, Megan the winner to work with children and Matt and Tom to work in technology – all positive youngsters keen to have a go.”
“They were also, all of them, jolly good cooks; there was a high degree not just of cooking but talent.”
Upper Photo: Winner Megan Easton (centre) with competition organiser Roger Worth (left) and Susan Bamber-Powell.
Lower Photo: Judges John Kelly (centre) and Mike Riordan (right) examine one of the dishes, watched by Susan Bamber-Powell.
More photos from the competition: album; slideshow [PicasaWeb]
Great story that shows off the better points of Bradley Stoke’s younger people who are often on the receiving end of negative press due to the actions of a minority.
If they need a taster for the 2011 competition then count me in!