Young chefs amaze judges at Rotary challenge

Students from Steyning Grammar School donned their aprons alongside those from The Towers Convent School, Upper Beeding in competing for a place in the next round of the Young Chef Challenge. There were so many entrants this year that a preliminary round was held to determine those entering this local heat.

Narise Carey, a Year 11 Photography student at the Grammar School, was on hand to photograph those taking part and to record some of the delicious dishes.

The judges, Alex Boudot from the Crabtree at Lower Beeding and Sarah McLoughlin of Lets Cook at Home, looked for imaginative dishes using healthy, locally produced ingredients. They were also looking for the presentation, taste and balance of dishes from these budding chefs. In making the awards they complimented the students. Alex said that he was bowled over by unbelievably high standards and sophistication of dishes.

Sarah said: “The creativity and consistently good taste, flavour and balance of food produced led to some very difficult choices”.

John Dibb, president of the Rotary Club of Steyning and Henfield, thought that many parents would find difficulty in matching the standards of imagination, skill and presentation.

Ellie Nicholson (Towers Convent) was chosen as the winner, receiving a prize of £20 with Saskia Dunkling (Towers Convent) the second prize of £10 and Lauren Hills (Steyning Grammar) the third prize of £5. Other Highly Commended entries will be presented with the ‘wooden spoon’ award at an assembly.

Heads of Food Technology at the two schools, Louise Lamb and Wendy Searle, said that those taking part were very calm and relaxed under the eagle eye of the judges.

Wendy said: ‘The students did it entirely on their own. They really pulled out the stops and produced a fantastic choice of attractive, tasty dishes. Everyone was very impressed”.

All those who entered received a certificate of participation and Ellie will be invited to go forward into the District Semi- Finals.

Rotary is a grass-roots organisation with business, professional and community minded men and women who volunteer time, talent and resources with a common interest in friendship, making a difference and having a good time in the process. Steyning and Henfield Rotary meet at 7.15 for 7.30pm on Thursdays in the Castle Hotel, Bramber.

Find out more at www.steyningandhenfieldrotary.org.

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