Area Young Chef Competition

The fight for a place in the Southern Wales final of the Rotary International Young Chef Competition took place in the kitchen at Cowbridge Comprehensive School on Monday, 27th January. Six young chefs from the Vale of Glamorgan had to create in just two hours an appetising three course meal for two with a total ingredient cost under £20. The competitors were Ruby Cook and Caitlin Bowman of Stanwell School, Pippa Hinkin Evans and Neve Riddick of Cowbridge Comprehensive and Rosie King and Amelie Deere of Llantwit Major Comprehensive.

The overall winner was Neve Riddick who prepared the following menu:

Starter – Chicken Satay

Mains  – Teriyaki Salmon with broccoli, carrots and rice  

Dessert – Profiteroles with assorted toppings

Amelie Deere was the runner-up with a menu of Onion Tart, Haddock Goujons with hand –cut chips and peas followed by a dessert of Ginger Cake with a cream topping. Certificates and prizes were presented by Wayne Morgan, Rotary Assistant Governor for the Vale.

Neve Riddick will go on to compete in the Southern Wales Final at Ysgol Calon Cymru in Builth Wells on Wednesday 5th February.

The competition judges, Sîan Whitefield and Samantha Morgan said, “All the competitors showed a very high standard of cooking skills that would do justice to a professional kitchen. It is wonderful to see such talented young chefs.”

Rotary would like to thank Arboreal of Cowbridge for helping with the judging and their support of the winner. Thanks are also due to Nathalie Christopher, teacher in Design and Technology Department at Cowbridge Comprehensive School for hosting the competition.  

There are many more photos that can be seen here.

Purple for Polio

You may see purple crocus flowers starting to show in Twt Park and at the Comprehensive School. These have been planted to raise awareness of the Rotary End Polio Now project which started in 1979. The wild polio virus has nearly been eliminated from the world and we must finish the job.

Learn more at www.endpolio.org.

Microfinance at Y Bont Faen Primary School

With the support of Rotarians and using part of a generous donation by a benefactor, Year 6 at Y Bont Faen Primary School have started a micro-finance project. Using a non-profit international platform called Kiva they have chosen from over 7,000 listed projects to loan money to 14 deserving cases. The micro-loans of $25 each range from purchasing goats in Kyrgyzstan to children's primary education in Lebanon. This project integrates well into the school curriculum, incorporating elements of geography, maths, IT, etc. The project has now been extended to Year 5 pupils.

Rotary welcomes new members interested in having fun while 'giving something back' to the community. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are the life blood of any organisation! It is easy to contact us using the "Click Here" button at the top right of the page.

Rotary provides opportunities to connect with people of like ideas, providing unique opportunities to serve the community using one's own professional skills alongside leaders of other businesses and professions. Rotarians help one another, and together help others.

Rotary is fun  every club holds social activities that offer diversions from today's demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and other events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and the opportunity for service.

Rotary helps personal growth and development by continuing one's growth and education in human relations and by developing and extending leadership skills. Serving in Rotary helps one learn how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

Rotarians are people who believe that whilst it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.

Rotary was founded over 100 years ago on the principle of "meeting regularly to enjoy and expand one's circle of business and professional acquaintances." That principle remains true today, and in an increasingly complex world, Rotary continues to provide one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends and fellowship.