Rotary Club of Edmonton
 

Young Chefs’ Competition Semi-Final held at

Southgate College on Tuesday 20 March 2007 
 

Rotarian John Thorpe welcomed the teams from 6 schools in the North London Region.  They came prepared with their ingredients etc. and started to cook at 10.30.  Each team consisted of two students from either year 9 or 10 and they had already taken part in a Preliminary Round at their schools.  In fact some 50+ children had taken part from the beginning. 
 

The judges for this occasion were Peter Tiley, a Chef Lecturer at the College together with

Guiseppe Romano the Chef at La Vita Restaurant in Southgate and a member of Edmonton Rotary Club, and Eddie Burman, an ex Head of Catering at the College who is also a member of Southgate Rotary.  Southgate College Catering Dept. has assisted us over the last 6 or more years in hosting this event and we thank them for their great help. 
 

At 12 noon the contestants had to present their main course dish, for two people, to the judges.  It had to be presented on well laid tables which could be decorated in any way they liked, with a printed menu, timesheet and costing list.  Their team work and tidiness together with skills used are marked as well as the end result. 
 

The standard of cooking this year was excellent with a variety of dishes from all corners of the globe.  All of the students spent an enjoyable time and produced some wonderful food.  The judges had a hard time selecting the winners and runners up.  Strangely both teams used fish and the flavours were fantastic. 
 

In first place were Farhana Akther and Elieana Economou from Salisbury School who cooked Roast Spiced Cod with Sweet Potato Chips.  They received a book each and a certificate.

In runner up position was Michael O’Reilly and Greg Mintern from Christ College who prepared a Fish Pie with a Mediterranean Twist.  It was made with Haddock and Salmon and had a Tomato and Courgette tower to accompany it.  They also had books and certificates. 
 

Rotary thanks the teachers and technicians for their hard work and interest in this event, the students for taking part and parents for their support.  We also thank the College for the facility and sponsors for the prizes.  The following Schools also took part: - Chase Community, Southgate, Highlands, Edmonton County and Aylward and we hope that we can encourage more schools in 2008. 
 

The final is to be held at Westminster College in Victoria on Saturday 28 April and teams from all over London will take part. We wish our North London team every success. 
 

Next year London will play host to the whole country when the final of Rotary Young Chefs’ will be assisted by Filippo Berio Olive Oil and the Fifteen Restaurant (founded by Jamie Oliver).  The winner will receive the RIBI Trophy (and a replica to keep) plus £250.  In addition the winner will receive a day's experience at the Fifteen Restaurant in London plus a trip to Tuscany for the winner (plus a parent/guardian) to witness the olive harvest and associated olive oil tasting festival.  There will also be cash prizes for second and third place.

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Copyright © 2005 Edmonton Rotary Club
Last modified: 04/04/06