Photo shows Ailsa Morton Winner with Martin Avey presenting certificate and Chris Walker looking on.
Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright
Ailsa Morton from Wallace Hall Academy gained first place in the South West Scotland final of this year’s Rotary Young Chef Competition held recently at Kirkcudbright Academy. The runner-up was Emma Hay from Kirkcudbright Academy. The competition was very keen between the six finalists from schools across the region with Lockerbie Academy, Dalbeattie High School, Douglas Ewart High School Kirkcudbright Academy and Wallace Hall all represented.
Ailsa’s winning menu was Roast Salmon on crushed potatoes with roast tomatoes and asparagus wrapped in Parma ham followed by a Raspberry and Mango Chinchilla with Mango Coulis. Emma’s menu was Pan Fried Duck Breast served on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes with braised red cabbage and a gin and redcurrant jus followed by a fresh raspberry and vanilla bean cheesecake served with homemade raspberry coulis.
All the competitors were complimented by the judges Martin Avey from Del Amitri in Annan and Chris Walker from the Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright who said that the overall standard and the quality of the food produced by all competitors was extremely high and the judges had a very difficult task. They also commented on the great enthusiasm and skill of all the chefs which clearly reflected the commitment of the Home Economics teachers at all the schools. Thanks are due to both Martin and Chris for their very welcome support of the event.
This South West Area final was organised by the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright who worked hand in hand with the Home Economics Department at Kirkcudbright Academy and particular thanks are due to Isla Porteous for her enthusiastic support of the event.
The winner Ailsa and the Runner-Up Emma will go forward to the District Final which takes place in Livingston on 1st February and will involve competitors from all over the South of Scotland. This is followed by a regional final in Dundee and a National Final in April 2014.
The competition is sponsored nationally by Filippo Berio Olive Oil.
