We hosted the Rotary Young Chef District Final at CHS with two of our own Year 10 young chefs , Elkie B and Sam B, competing alongside Year 10 students from Eaton Bank Academy, Fallibroome Academy and Sharples School (Bolton).
Each of the six young chefs was asked to prepare a two course menu on a fixed budget and within two hours, which was then judged by Rotarian, Trevor Hoyle, and Executive Chef of Congleton's Pear Hospitality Group, Les Wassall, who said that the afternoon had proved stressful for them as the quality of the food was so good and the marks were so very close between the contestants.
In third place was Mahjabeen from Sharples School, Bolton with her hot glazed chicken with egg fried rice.
In second place was Alfie from Eaton Bank Academy with his pan-seared duck breast with a confit duck potato rosti served with with butternut squash puree and wilted spinach and red wine jus. His tarte au citron with blackberry garnish impressed the judges.
Overall winner was Nathaniel from Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield. His seasonal lunch with Stanedge rack of lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, spring harvest carrots, asparagus and fresh mint sauce, followed by deconstructed strawberry and rhubarb crumble topped with frozen yoghurt, impressed the judges.
Congleton High School's Sam and Elkie, and Sharples School's Saffiya were all highly commended.
The First Prize is one to be worked for! Nathaniel received an apron, a Marco Pierre White book and a day with Marriott Hotel Group's executive chef, preparing dinner for his parents (who are also able to spend the day in the hotel's leisure facility)! The prize is not to be underestimated. A previous winner of the Rotary Young Chef competition, recently went on to become a finalist in the BBC Masterchef competition on national television.
The two runners up received a £20 voucher each and a water bottle.
Thank you to the Rotary Club for creating this fantastic opportunity or so many of our students over the years. Elkie and Sam, the two CHS Young Chefs in this year's competition, have learned so much and enjoyed every minute. Thank you also to Rotarian, Marian Basu, for organising this year's competition, and to our own Mrs Thorpe and Mrs Horsley for coordinating the event and supporting Elkie and Sam.
