Young Chef Regional Final

The Rotary Young Chef competition is a national competition for young people between 12 and 16 with the challenge of producing a healthy two-course meal (main and dessert) for two persons for under £18. The competition is arranged in tiers, with local Rotary Clubs organising their own competitions with local schools and the local winners progressing to the District final. The winner and runner-up of each District Final qualified to take part in the Regional/Cluster Final.

The eight competitors for the Regional final were : 

Alessia FIORE (14), Castel Newnham Upper School, (Bedford RC – District 1260) 

Pippa HAMMOND (14), Hassenbrook Academy (Grays Thurrock RC – District 1240) 

Esther HINE (14), Easthampstead Park School, (Ascot RC – District 1090) 

James HOBBS (14), Castle Newnham Upper School, (Bedford RC – District 1260) 

Rosie JOHNSTON (15), St Mary’s Catholic School, (Bishop’s Stortford RC – District 1240) 

Harry PHILLIPS (14), Bloxham School (Banbury RC – District 1090) 

Gabriella SKATE (15), Marshland High School, (Kings Lynn Trinity – District 1080) 

Lily STEWART (15), Springwood High School, (Kings Lynn Trinity – District 1080)

They each received a certificate of participation from the Rotary District Governor, Kate Hodges.

The event was judged by Malcolm BAGGOTT, Lecturer/Chef at Newbury College and Jamie FIDLER, Chef at Crown & Anchor, Ham, Wiltshire.

At the end of the two-hour cooking period, the candidates presented their results to the judges for tasting and marking. The judges were impressed with the standard of cooking and each candidate received encouraging feedback from the judges.

The Winner was judged as Rosie JOHNSTON, with her menu of smoked salmon, prawn & cream cheese with a dessert of chocolate avocado.