Highdown Rotary - Young Chef 2019-20

Stuart Slevin Executive Chef from The Food Factory Worthing had an extra tricky job a few weeks ago.  Stuart headed a team of judges to confirm the winner of one of this year’s local heats for the Rotary Young Chef Award.

St Andrew’s High School for Boys and the Highdown Rotary, the local Rotary Club, teamed up to get cooking for the Rotary Young Chef for 2019/20.

This year’s heat saw Stuart, Rotary Club President Christine Moss, Worthing Youth Mayor Jimi Taylor and Head Teacher Louise Welcome tasting and marking all the meals prepared. The School kitchens were busy and Stuart and Katy Sharpe, the Food teacher, were on hand to check progress and help the chefs plan and organise for the event.

The boys’ competition and their local “heat” took place at the School 9th November. With 10 young chefs from ages 9 - 16 signed up to provide a full meal all prepared, cooked and served by themselves in 2 hours. A challenge for them and the judges to find the winner. The Judges panel chose Elliott Cobden, as overall winner.  He won a gift voucher from the Food Factory.  All the chefs also received copies of the Game of Thrones Cook Book from The Food Factory.

Katy says “this is an exciting opportunity for the boys, who are really keen to take part. We are getting everyone involved and I was delighted to see family and friends on hand to cheer them along on the day. We are very pleased to have Stuart with us and I know the young chefs enjoyed getting his views and advice.”

Rotary’s annual Young Chef Competition is a 4-stage national competition to support and encourage development of cookery skills. This development slots well with the School’s aim to enable every student to develop their potential and a love for learning within a caring, challenging environment.