The Rotary Club Young Chef Area finals were held at Kirkcudbright Academy on Thursday 16th November. Six senior pupils from Schools across Dumfries and Galloway participated in the competition : Emma Craig and Maya Johnston from Kirkcudbright Academy, Rhonwen Patterson from Moffat Academy, Connor Frame from Lockerbie Academy, Beth Taylor and Ryan Napper from Annan Academy.
17 year old Emma Craig of Kirkcudbright Academy S6 gained first place in the Rotary Young Chef Area Final competition followed closely in second place by 14 year old Maya Johnston an S3 pupil at Kirkcudbright Academy who the youngest student to take part in this years competition, With Beth Taylor of Annan Academy winning Best Table Setting. organized jointly by the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright and Kirkcudbright Academy.
The competitors each prepared and cooked a two course meal for two, using local ingredients where possible, all for under £10 per pupil paid to them by Rotary, who also provided cash prizes for the winners. Castle MacLellan Foods Limited donated two superb recipe books to the winner and runner up.
Emma’s winning menu was, Chicken breast stuffed with haggis served on a bed of savoury cabbage, fondant potatoes, served with a Drambuie sauce. Dessert was : Chocolate Fondant served with homemade ice cream.
The Rotary Young Chef competition was designed to give young people the chance to show off their creative culinary talents to promote healthy eating and to learn important life skills. The young chefs are all judged on their healthy menus, planning and organisational skills and of course the taste and presentation of the final dishes.
The prizes were presented by Rotarys Area Assistant Governor South West, Mr Keith Bruce.
As in previous years, Rotary has worked closely with the Home Economics Dept at Kirkcudbright Academy and particular thanks go to Isla Porteous Home Economics teacher for her enthusiastic support of the event.
The competition was judged by local chefs Tom Kirkpatrick and Jimmy Harvey, who were enormously impressed by the dishes produced by all the competitors. They commented that their meals would not have been out of place in many good restaurants.
Emma and Maya will now go through to the District Final held at Livingston in February 2018. This stage is then followed hopefully by participation in the Regional and National competitions.
Congratulations to all those who took part.
