Published: October 30, 2012
Young cooks face off in Burnham Rotary Club's Young Chef contest

The seventh annual Rotary Young Chef Competition has been held at Highbridge's King Alfred School.

Hugh Mackay, President of Burnham Rotary Club, welcomed the competitors and visitors to the event and thanked headteacher Andy Owen, and the school's food technology staff for hosting the competition.

There were seven competitors - six year 9 students and one year 10 - with two year 7 pupils and a year 9 providing assistance.

Each competitor was given a budget of £10 to plan and then prepare a two course meal with a healthy eating theme in under two hours.

The judges, Amy Hunt of Weston's Oak & Glass Restaurant, and Sarah McClean of the Woodlands Country Hotel at Brent Knoll, praised the entries.

Amy said: "The standard of the cooking was very high and it was a very difficult task to choose first and second places."

The first place certificate and Young Chef Cup were awarded to Madeline Francis,
and the second place certificate to Tanisha Oatley-Summers.

The other competitors - Lewis Clarke, Sophie Hall, Bethany Jones, Ben Leigh and David Young - were all awarded certificates.

Hugh Mackay paid particular thanks go to Beverley Gore, the school's Head of Health, Textiles and Food Technology, and her team for organising the popular event. He presented 54 new chopping boards to the department, as recognition of the school’s support.