Fabulous flavours of the world at Rotary Young Chef competition!

The competition, which our Rotary club sponsors, is the first round in a four-stage national competition, with great prizes for the eventual overall winner, including a training day in a Michelin starred restaurant. It was kindly hosted, once again, by Waldegrave, on Wednesday,15^th November 2023.

The competitors were tasked with preparing and cooking a two-course meal for two people at a cost of £18, within two-hours. The students were judged on such things as planning, costing, healthy choice of dishes, neatness of work, hygiene, presentation and taste.

At the end of a great contest, Connie S was adjudged the winner, with a delicious tasting and very healthy menu, comprising;

Handmade tagliatelle with a crab, fennel and chilli sauce,followed by chocolate fondant served with Madagascan vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce, raspberries and a gingernut biscuit crumb.

The winner and runner-up Aditi A, both from Waldegrave, will progress through to stage two of the competition, the Rotary district final, which is to be held on Saturday, 3^rd February, 2024, at South Thames College, Morden.

The lead judge was Thomas Rowlandson head chef and joint owner of the very popular A.Cena restaurant in East Twickenham. Thomas commented that he was very impressed with the range of flavours from different world foods, with the emphasis on healthy eating. He offered encouragement to the students, on the value in later life, of continuing to develop their culinary skills. Our thanks to Thomas. Thanks also to the Mayor of Richmond Upon Thames, Councillor Suzette Nicholson who kindly attended with husband and consort John and kindly presented certificates to all participants, prizes and a trophy to the winner

We were grateful, as always, for the warm welcome we received from Ms Tongue and her supporting staff team, Jenny Hopping and Saba Ahmed and also to Ms Sarah Bromly deputy head of Twickenham School, who accompanied and had coached the Twickenham Students.

Some pictures attached of the day.