Printworks Campus hosts prestigious young chefs competition

Last month, seven young enthusiastic chefs aged from 13 to 17 fought for first place in the National Final of the Rotary Young Chef 2019 competition at Leeds City College.

The finalists from across of the UK travelled to Printworks Campus, supported by Rotarians, family and teachers. The competition was judged by four accomplished chefs in the food and beverage industry, including the college’s Programme Manager for Craft and Innovation, Fabrice Teston.

Over the last nine months, around 3,000 budding chefs across Great Britain and Ireland competed in the young chef competition.

15-year-old Sasha Martin claimed the winning title, receiving a one-day chocolate course at Leeds City College and a two-day trip to a cookery school in Tuscany. She said: “If you have a passion for cooking like me, please reach out to your local Rotary – who I’m sure will support you and give you the opportunity to show off your talent!”

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Graham Latty, presented the awards to all the finalists and said: “The quality of the entries and the enthusiasm of the entrants was truly outstanding and I compliment Rotary on sponsoring such a worthwhile competition.”

Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) President, Debbie Hodge, and District Governor, Nigel Arthurs, presented the prizes to the first, second and third places, as well as the dish of the day.

Sasha’s winning menu included the following:

Starter – Yuzu, wasabi and sesame tuna “sashimi” niçoise – new potatoes, tomato, quail egg, French beans, olives, capers, black olive tapenade, vinaigrette, basil oil and salad leaves.

Main – Pan-roasted pork tenderloin, fondant potatoes, carrot purée, apple braised red cabbage, apple crisps, baby courgettes, apple cider jus, chorizo soil, and garlic flowers.

Dessert – Homemade honeycomb ice-cream baked Alaska, fresh honeycomb, bee pollen, popping candy, and white chocolate snap.

Students from the college’s Food and Beverage and Professional Cookery courses were helping on the day to prepare and serve drinks, and sort out breakfast and lunch for the parents and friends of the candidates.

Now in its 19th year, Rotary Young Chef gives young individuals a chance to showcase their skills in the kitchen and is among many different youth opportunities offered.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Rotary Young Chef competition, log on to the RIBI website for further information or contact the District 1040 organiser Gill Poole  gillpooleuk@yahoo.co.uk