Rotary Young Chef Competition – District Final
The Rotary District 1020 Final of this year’s Rotary Young Chef Competition was held last Saturday (1st February) at West Lothian College in Livingston. The competition was very keen between the seven finalists from schools across the south of Scotland and standards were very high. Against this very strong opposition, from Kirkcudbright Academy, representing the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright, proved to be a very worthy runner-up
Each of the contestants had to prepare a three course meal. Emma’s successful menu was
Starter Seared Kirkcudbright King Scallops with Chorizo, resting on a Pea Purée Main Course Pan Fried Gressingham Duck Breast served on a bed of Braised Red Cabbage with Sweet Potato Mash and a Gin and Redcurrant Jus Dessert A raspberry cheesecake served with a homemade honey and oat ice cream
As in the previous rounds, all the competitors were complimented by the judges who said that the overall standard and the quality of the food produced by all competitors was extremely high which gave the judges a very difficult task. Once again 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.
The Rotary Young Chef Competition is designed to give young people the chance to show off their creative culinary talents, to promote healthy eating and to help them learn important life skills. The young chefs are judged on their healthy menu, planning and organisational skills, hygiene, preparation skills and, of course, the taste and presentation of the final dishes.
The event was generously sponsored by Quality Beef Scotland who provided the trophies and an apron for each of the finalists.
Paul Tebay, Youth Service Convenor for the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright, gave particular thanks to Isla Porteous, Home Economics teacher at Kirkcudbright Academy, for her continued enthusiastic support of the event.
Emma will now go forward to the Regional Final which takes place in Glasgow on 15th March, an event that will involve competitors from all over Scotland. This is followed by the UK National Final that will be held in Dundee in April.
