Bishop’s Stortford College Senior School pupil, Jin Phung, clinched the Rotary Club District Young Chef of the Year title after a spectacular culinary performance.
On arriving at Chelmsford College for the district cook-off, accompanied by teacher Mrs Hood, the sixteen year old from Great Dunmow immediately set his table and proceeded to fold the linen napkins in a most intricate manner. His menu was printed on acrylic and was admired by everyone in the presentation room.
The judges were impressed with Jin’s knife skills straightaway; ten minutes later, he decided to add a tiny bit of his finger to the starter! However, they commented on the methodical way he conducted his cooking and the fact he never lost focus or his cool, even when he could not locate the sea bass fillets, the star of the main course!
Jin’s timing was slightly off as he had to work with his hand in a latex glove but he was only a few minutes out. The spectators were all amazed by the end results and said they would pay for a three-course meal cooked by him, even if their meal was delayed.
Before the judges placed the participants, they commented on the high quality of all of the participants, saying that they were the top chefs they have seen in the last fifteen years. After the third and second places were announced, it was no surprise to all present that Jin was the outright winner. He received a set of beautifully balanced but very sharp knives and, as soon as his measurements go through, will be awarded a chef’s jacket.
The judges gave feedback to all the competitors, but especially to Jin, whom they all felt ‘could go all the way’. The teacher from Chelmsford College asked to keep his menu, to show her students what a bit of imagination could produce. She also said Jin could become a top chef as he already had so many skills.
Jin will now go forward to represent the Rotary Club district in the Regional competition at Westminster College. He will be mentored by Shane King, a professional chef, who will be visiting Bishop’s Stortford College to critique his cooking after half term.