Pictured:    Overall winner Lorena Kaley Smith Christie from Easthampstead Park School being presented with her certificate and cup by Judges Vicky and James Bennet

It’s was going to be hot in the kitchen for competitors in this year’s East Berkshire Area round of the Rotary Young Chef Competition, organised by the Rotary Club of Ascot, as they faced  The Professionals:  Judges  Vicky and James Bennet of the Downshire Arms whom we are indebted to for their kind assistance and wise words.

The competition took  place on Tuesday  November 21st 2017 at the   Licensed Victuallers’ School Ascot who kindly hosted the event. 

The Rotary Young Chef competition is a youth competition for 11-17 year olds to develop a range of skills through the art of cooking a 3 course meal for 2 for £15 or less in 2 hours under competition conditions in a professional safe environment.  

• Choice of and learning to Cook Healthy meals,
• Organisational and Planning Skills,
• Budgeting and sourcing produce,
• Food Presentation Skills
• Neatness and tidyness, 
• Consider food hygiene issues and correct food temperature,
• Develop an ability to cope in a demanding time constrained situation

 

Pictured:    The three finalists Lorena Kaley Smith Christie from Easthampstead, Runner -Up Maia Larks  from Ranelagh and in third place Abhishek Gurung from LVS Ascot .

Entry is at no cost to the competitors, and the cost of the food (£15) is reimbursed to entrants by Rotary.

Originally six schools entered, being the maximum LVS could allow: Ranelagh, LVS Ascot, St George's Ascot,Easthamstesd , Garthhill, and EACT Turnham Park Academy, however at the last moment three;  St Georges,  Garthill and Burnham had to withdraw leaving  Ranelagh, LVS Ascot and Easthamstead to contest the final. The standard set by all three was though extremely  high with, in the end, a worthy victory being  awarded to  Lorena Kaley Smith Christie  (Easthamstead).  Runner -up was Maia Larks (Ranelagh) and third place went to Abhishek Gurung (LVS Ascot)

Louisa  will  now go onto the District final with our encouragement and best wishes. The  winner of the district competition then  moves onto the National final sponsored by olive oil producers, Filippo Berio.

Louisa  explained on leaving school her ambition is to open her own vegan restaurant and this competition helps give her the  confidence and profile to move forward. Rotary  wishes Louisa all the very best and future success.It is just so wonderful  to see young people showing such ambition and  entrepreneurship.

A special mention and thank you to LVS Ascot for being splendid hosts and to the teachers of all the schools for taking the time out of busy schedules to  encourage their students to enter.  And last but not least the students themselves for offering some excellent completion,menus, great cooking  and organisational skill..not easy.