Young chefs show their skills in Rotary Club competition

Rotary Young Chef contestants at Bradley Stoke Community School.

Young master chefs of the future put their culinary skills to the test earlier this month at Bradley Stoke Community School as they competed in a hard-fought cooking competition.

The three hopefuls, all pupils at the 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.

After two hours of intense activity (30 minutes preparation plus 90 minutes of cooking), the judges were called in to examine and taste the beautifully presented meals.

Following a period of careful deliberation, Year 12 student Abbie Pearce was declared the winner for her meal of pan fried cape hake and coconut tart.

Abbie, who also won the competition last year, will now go forward to the district round of Young Chef on 18th January at St Katherine’s School, Ham Green.

The winner was presented with a £30 Mall voucher; runners up Gabi Cole and Avavlon Britton received £15 vouchers and all contestants were given a Bristol Aztec Rotary apron.

Photo: Young Chef contestants (l-r): Abbie Pearce, Gabi Cole and Avalon Britton.

Fiona Dowling, teacher of catering at BSCS, said:

“This is the third year we have participated in the Rotary Young Chef competition. Once again our students have done us all proud with their enthusiasm and commitment. Competitions such as this certainly mould and shape the students and give them opportunities to develop, not only their creative and culinary skills, but also their confidence and ability to take risks and get involved with tasks that require courage.”

“I am really pleased with their efforts and motivation and would like to thank the Rotary Club and particularly Roger Worth for his continued efforts and support since we began, three years ago.”

Phil King, President of Bristol Aztec Rotary Club, said:

“We at Bristol Aztec Rotary Club are very pleased to be able to sponsor this event again as it fits in very well with our aims within the local community. Once again the competitors have provided a mouth-watering array of dishes and the quality was so high that it was very difficult to choose a winner. We look forward to helping BSCS with other projects in the future, and wish Abbie well in the next round of the competition.”

Phil King presents winner Abbie Pearce with her prize and certificate.

Photo: Phil King (President, Bristol Aztec Rotary Club) presents winner Abbie Pearce with her prize and certificate.

The menus in full

Avalon Britton
Bacon, sweetcorn and sweet potato chowder
American berry shortcake

Gabi Cole
Spicy tomato chicken
Autumn fruit layer

Abbie Pearce
Pan fried cape hake, with coriander pasta, sautéed turnip and shimeji mushroom drizzled with passion fruit sauce and turnip puree
Coconut tart with a sweet cream and mango coulis

Dishes produced at the 2012 BSCS Rotary Young Chef competition.

More photos on PicasaWeb.

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