Rotary Young Chef Competition
Over the last few months, Salford City Academy, has taken part in a Rotary competition to promote healthy eating and cooking skills in high school students.
Alisha Eves, Declan Robson, Alex Cowlishaw and Leon Price competed in the first round here in the academy in January to determine who would represent us in the District round.
The pupils cooked dishes which were judged by an ex-home economics teacher and professional chef. Alisha Eves made a particularly good Liver Stroganoff!
Declan Robson was chosen to represent Salford City Academy in the District round on February 2nd at Radclyffe School in Chadderton, attended by students from 14 schools from as far away as the Isle of Man.
Professional chefs judged on the day, including former head chef from Harvey Nichols, Alison Steadman, alongside Farooq Ahmed and John Cadwaller.
Declan produced an outstanding 3 course menu including Oriental fishcakes on rocket to start, a main of thai green chicken curry and jasmine fragrant rice, and a chocolate fondant with caramelised orange.
Declan Robson, Year 10, said "It was a good experience to be involved in a competition like this. When I was in the District finals it was very stressful to cook all the food to a deadline, but I really enjoyed it. The competition was great!"
Despite producing fantastic dishes, Declan narrowly missed out on a place in the Regional finals to take place at Rochdale College.
Julie Larkinson, Director of Work Related Learning and Enterprise said:
"These students have had little experience cooking 3 course menus and so I was exceptionally proud of the high standards they achieved and to witness such professionalism to produce outstanding practical skills and quality food."