St Joseph’s College Food Technology teacher and celebrity chef Mrs Crowhurst leapt at the chance to host the area heat of the Rotary Club Young Chef competition, knowing it would highlight the students’ planning, preparation and cooking skills.
With help from their teachers, the students chose their own menus for a three-course meal, to be prepared, cooked and served in two hours. Dominic Rosher (Year 9) made onion bhajis, chicken curry & rice and lemon cheesecake. Isabella Cinnamond (Year 10) prepared flat bread & crudités, fresh pesto pasta with roasted vegetables and raspberry mille feuille. Year 8 student Hettie Wilbraham’s menu consisted of bruschetta with tomato, fresh pasta with cheese sauce and chocolate mousse.
However, Kirsten Horton (Year 8) took the title with a meal of frittata, hake fillet en papillotte and baklava.
The cool-headed youngsters had successfully prepared time plans, costed their recipes and rehearsed every step. All kept to their schedule and delivered delicious meals on time without a single disaster, watched by members of the Rotary Club.
They served their meals in sequence at prepared table settings, ready for visiting chef judge, Peter Senior, to taste.
St Joseph’s College was delighted with the performance of all four and know Mr Senior’s job to choose a winner was difficult. Now Kirsten, our Young Chef of the Year, goes on to the regional final in Kings Lynn in February. She received a Waterstones voucher and the hearty congratulations of her fellow competitors, all of whom earned house points.
Mr Senior was impressed by the timing and the quality of meals overall. He particularly remarked on the ambition of two competitors in making their own pasta in the time allowed.
He said, ‘Kirsten’s fish was near perfection. Her attention to detail was excellent, particularly at the age she is. In fact, all her menu was outstanding.
‘Well done to all the competitors, I hope they continue cooking and that we will see them again in next year’s competition.’
Mrs Clarke, the Principal, added, ‘Food technology is enormously popular throughout St Joseph’s and our students come away with a sound knowledge of healthy eating and a real joy in the preparation of good food.’
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