Judges impressed at local heat of Young Chef National competition

At least that was the view of the two judges who visited Tanbridge House School on Monday 11 November to judge a local heat of the Young Chef National competition which is held annually by The Rotary Club of Great Britain.

The six entrants came from three local schools: Millais, Warden Park and Tanbridge House School.

The winner was Tom Hamblet of Tanbridge House School, who produced a tasty two course meal of Roast breast of Barbary duck with lemon and pine nut couscous, followed by a desert of honey cake with blackberries, yoghurt and pistachio.

Second place went to Nathan Aylett of Warden Park School and third place was Emily Stimpson, Tanbridge House School.

Miss Masterman, teacher of Food Technology at Tanbridge said: “The quality of the cooking was very high and the judges had to take into account the preparation, planning and balance of the meals that were produced.” The two judges are both professional chefs; Johnny Spires from South Lodge and Nick Illes from the Green Man in Partridge Green.

Gordon McConnell of Horsham Rotary explained that the next stage is the District Semi-Final which takes place in January where students will prepare a three course meal. A Regional round is held and then the National Final will be held on Saturday 26 April in Dundee.

Report and picture contributed by Tanbridge House School.