THE local round of the prestigious Rotary Young Chef competition for 2023 was held at Frome College at the end of last month, with seven aspiring young chefs taking part.
All seven candidates – Maisie, Roman, Beatrix, Cory, Millie-May, Caitlyn and Ashley – are from years 10 and 11 of Frome College and were required to prepare a healthy three-course meal for two, costing no more than £22. Over the two hours allowed, the three professional judges assessed many aspects of the chefs’ skills and culinary proficiency, ending with a lengthy tasting.
Sponsorship of the event was kindly provided by Care UK (Rosetti House) whilst the judges came from Three Horseshoes, Chapmanslade (Ben Leveque), Bistro Lotte (Gemma Owen) and Chartwells (Carl Chappell). The judges circulated during the whole two-hour cook, and assessed planning, costing, healthy choices, use of equipment and the range of skills exhibited – followed by a final in-depth tasting.
“The three experienced professionals were exceptionally impressed with our ‘Young Chefs’, and it was only by a thin sheet of pastry that Millie-May took the top spot,” said a spokesperson for Frome Rotary. “The remaining chefs were all runners-up in the judges’ opinion – it was so close.
“An engraved Rotary trophy was presented by Mike Darville (co-president) and the event was attended by the school principal, a local governor and parents.
“Our thanks to all involved, but especially to our ‘Young Chefs’ who all showed such great promise for the future, so ably tutored by Vicky West and assisted by Kayanna Litterick.
“The Rotary Young Chef competition is a national competition and we will be supporting Millie-May as she moves on to the next stage at the district finals.”
