Local Heat of Rotary “Young Chef” competition.

The East Berkshire heat of the Rotary “Young Chef” competition took place at the Licensed Victuallers School today. Six young people from local schools demonstrated their skills at producing a healthy meal for two persons, with a budget of just £10. The local competition is jointly promoted by the Rotary Clubs of Ascot, Bracknell and Wokingham, and is sponsored by the Waitrose Store in Sunningdale.

Each competitor had been selected through a preliminary competition within their own school to gain a place in the local heat, and they were presented with their school-winners cups by the Presidents of the Rotary Clubs, David Marshall (Ascot), Allan Emmet (Bracknell) and David Auger (Wokingham).

The judges, Geoff Du-Feu, who trained and worked at the Savoy, and Elly Mercer, a former Good Food Guide Restaurateur, praised the contestants for the high standard of food preparation that had been demonstrated in the competition. The winner of the heat was 15-year old Abbie Alston from Ranelagh School, Bracknell, and runner up was Jonathan Fielder, also 15, from the Licensed Victuallers School. Abbie’s menu comprised Poached Chicken, followed by Clementine Cheesecake, whilst Jonathan served up Chicken Tawayha followed by Banoffee Pie.

After the judges had evaluated the dishes, they were presented on a table arrangement for parents and visitors to inspect. About 30 parents and visitors attended and this year they were able to watch proceedings in the kitchen via closed-circuit television. During the cooking phase visitors enjoyed a buffet provided by Sodexho Education, who provide the facilities management at the Licensed Victuallers School.

The winner and runner up will now go forward to the District Final next March, the winner of which goes forward to a Regional Final in May, after which the National Final takes place in London. The winner of the National Final receives a trophy, £250, a trip to Tuscany provided by Filippo Berio Olive Oil, and a day in Fifteen Restaurant, founded by Jamie Oliver.

Competitors

	No	Name	Age	School	Rotary Club	Menu
Winner	1	Abbie Alston	15	Ranelagh	Bracknell	Poached Chicken, and Clementine Cheesecake
	2	Betty Kelly	15	Holt	Wokingham	Tuna Steak, and Peach Bombe
Runner Up	3	Jonathan Fielder	15	Licensed Victuallers	Ascot	Chicken Tawayha, and Banoffee Pie
	4	Katie McKinnon	13	Charters	Ascot	Spiced Chicken, and Cheesecakes
	5	Lara Bampfield	12	Luckley Oakfield	Wokingham	Lemon Chicken Parcels, and Blackberry Parfait
	6	Zoe Evison	14	Marist	Ascot	Seafood Risotto, and Ginger Syrup Cheesecake