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Home | Press Reports | Rotary Young Chef District Final 2012

Sat Mar 3rd 2012
Alasi with Judges.
Left Alan Costell, Peter Senior, Alesi Willet, Rotary District Govenor Tom
Grifin

Alisi Willet (14) from Neale Wade Community College, and March Rotary Club's
own Celebrity Young Chef, travelled to the College of West Anglia, King's
Lynn, on Saturday 3rd of March, to exercise her culinary capabilities
against 8 other young people, in the Rotary District 1080 Final of the Young
Chef 2012.

With fellow competitors, aged up to 18, and coming from as far as Ipswich,
Norwich, and Cambridge, they were given 2 ½ hours in which to produce a 3
course meal for two, costing up £15.00 inclusive.

Tasty morsels such as Balsamic & Honey Glazed Lamb cutlets with turned
carrots, Duck en croute with a red wine and plum sauce, Tart Tatin with
Honeycomb Semifeddo,

or Vanilla parfait with poached rhubarb, tuile biscuits, crushed pistachio
and spun sugar, seemed to be the norm. Perhaps reflecting the so popular
T.V. Chef programs

Accompanied by her Parents, and Teacher, Mrs Zoe Clarke, from Neale Wade,
Alesi opted for Melon Ball cocktail, Salmon fillet with charlotte potato,
broccoli floret and chardonnay carrots, rounded off with a mouth watering
strawberry and raspberry cobbler with creme fraiche.

While perhaps lacking the glitz and drizzles that others had produced, Alasi's
meal was one that did her justice, and would not disgrace any table upon
which it was set, fine, tasty, traditional food, nicely cooked, a credit to
both her and her tutors.

Only a winner and runner up go forward to the Regional Final at Greys, Essex
on the 24th of March, and these were judged to be Elise Mabbutt from Aylsham
High School, Norwich, and Molly Wilcox from Farlingaye High School,
Woodbridge Deben.

All competitors received a special Cookery Book in this U.K. wide
competition, organised by local Rotary Clubs on association with Filippo
Berio Olive Oil. Alise can return to Neale Wade with her head held high,
safe in the knowledge that she has the ability, at her young age, to set a
meal that anyone would be happy to enjoy, and this is only the start.


As an example, the winner of last years District Final was 'head hunted' by
more than one high profile personality, and has now found placement at a
'top' London restaurant

The Rotary Club of March wish her well for the future, the world of food in
now 'her oyster'. We look forward to seeing her fellow students 'done their
whites' next year.