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Home | Press Reports | March Rotary Young Chef. 2011

Sat Dec 3rd 2011
Jack Barlow, Jamie chapman, Robert Stone, Jacob Dickson, Rotary President John Orbell, Kirsty Lowe, Andrew Pugh, Alesi Willett, Richard Wedgebury
The residents of Leverington have a budding Delia Smith in their village in the shape of Alesi Willett, a pupil at Neale-Wade Community College, who on Saturday 3rd December won the well deserved title, Rotary Young Chef of March 2011. With only 2 hours to prepare and serve a main and desert course, she produced what the Judges, Andew Pugh and Richard Wedgebury described as ‘Very tasty with good skills’ a Cottage Pie, Chartenay Carrots and Broccoli, with Oaty Raspberry Crumble and Double Cream to follow. Points were awarded for not only the menu, but also table layout, presentation, working practice and overall continuity, be able to bring all the meals components together at the right time. This was the third year of the competition backed by the Rotary Club of March, with half a dozen youngsters demonstrating, and clearly enjoying they culinary qualifications. Turkey Escallops wrapped in Bacon. Pork healthy Sweet and Sour Pork with Egg Fried Rice, Crispy Fish with Potato Wedges, Bakewell Tart, Syrup Sponge and Individual Crocquembouche with Honey Cream, just some of the varied treats to temp ones palate. Jamie Chapman, Robert Stone, last years winner, Kirsty Lowe, Jack Barlow and Jacob Dickson joined Alesi in the fun morning held in the new Neale-Wade Cookery Department , overseen as by Zoe Clarke. It was nice to see how these young people helped each other out with any small problem, a dish too large for the oven, a rice pyramid that didn’t, but all taken in their stride. The Judges, who both have a very wide expertise in Catering, were constantly on hand, asking questions, chatting to the Young Chefs, guiding where they could, and in the final summing up, praising the skills, which would stand up anywhere, should they decide to follow a career in this area. In presenting the Certificates, Rotary President John Orbell, thanked the Judges for once again spending the morning there, Zoe Clarke and staff at Neale-Wade, also Don Morris who had done the important pre completion organisation. Wishing Alesi every success in the next round, she will travel to Diss in the New Year, with the backing of March Rotary Club.