Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Pupils cook up a treat in national culinary contest
Some of the district’s best young chefs have been battling it out to reach the next round of a national cooking contest. Youngsters took part in the local heat of the Rotary Young Chef Competition at The Whitstable School on Saturday. Year 10 pupil Ashlyn Hack from Herne Bay High and Anna Newman, in year 9 at St Anselm’s Catholic School, triumphed and will go through to the district stage on February 1.
Zac Newman, year 9 pupil at The Whitstable School, won the “chef’s dish of the day” and a £30 voucher to spend at Lakeland.
Organiser Owain Williams, from Chestfield Rotary Club, said the event was “much bigger” than previous years as 15 pupils from five different schools participated - compared to six from two schools in 2018.
“It’s the third successive year the club has put on a local stage of the competition and it has gained more interest each year,” he said.
“We are so pleased to be able to give children an opportunity to take part and showcase their skills.
“For many of them, being in the kitchen and cooking food helps them to be themselves which is so rewarding to see. “The talent this year was incredible which made picking the winners very difficult.
“But we believe both of them produced very tasty and well presented food so deserve their place in the next round.” Pupils from Kent College and Barton Court also took part. They prepared in two hours a three-course meal comprising starter, main course and dessert for two people and costing less than £20. There are four stages to the competition, each designed to support and encourage the development of cookery skills - local, district, regional and national.
Mr Williams thanked The Whitstable School for letting the club use their facilities, as well as the students and teachers.
He also thanked Chris Edwards - executive head chef of the East Quay Venue - for being a judge and arranging for his suppliers to provide the aprons and the ingredients.