Young chefs surprise and delight expert judges in the college's annual Junior MasterChef competition
This year’s competition was judged by Nigel Smith from Chef Patisserie and Jack Vance, a former hospitality & catering student from the college who is now a Sous Chef at The Little Manor in Thelwall. Invited to sample the food and judge the young chefs’ performance in the kitchens, the expert judges were blown away by the talent and dedication on display. Nigel said:
“It is an absolute pleasure to be judging this year’s Junior MasterChef Competition. We have seen amazing creations from equally amazing young chefs. I hope that using the college’s outstanding facilities and hearing feedback from such passionate tutors at the college has given these pupils an experience they won’t forget.”
Beth and Polly’s menu was shortlisted from 25 other menus to go through to the final, due to the pupils’ ambitious dishes which included homemade noodles and flatbread to accompany a fragrant Thai green chicken curry, made with fresh chicken and eggs from Polly’s family farm. Their menu responded perfectly to the brief’s requirement to focus on locally sourced produce while also getting top marks for flavour.
This year, the judges also decided that one other team would receive a special prize to recognise the high calibre of their work. Isabella Cundliffe-Bolton and Myleigh-Anne Walker-Coke, year 9 pupils from Lowton Church of England High School, were the recipients of the Chef’s Recognition Award for their indulgent lasagne and decadent millionaire’s shortbread. These young chefs can now look forward to enjoying a bespoke afternoon tea service for themselves and their family, generously provided by Chef Patisserie.