A pupil from King Edward’s Witley has made it through to the Regional Final of the Rotary Young Chef Competition 2015.
The heat was turned up last Saturday, 7th February, when 4th Form day pupil, Tom Harmsworth, 14, competed with pupils from other local schools in a battle to showcase their culinary skills. The District Final, which was held at King Edward’s Witley, is the 2nd round of the four-stage national competition.
Securing the runner up position, Tom is a step closer to winning the coveted culinary title and one of only three who will go on to compete in the Regional Final. They include Regan Younger from Rydon Community College who won first place and Tamsin Dodsworth from St Catherine’s School who came third.
The budding young chefs were asked to prepare and present a three-course healthy meal for two people costing less than £15 in a two-hour cook-off, which was judged by an expert panel. Tom dished up a delicious menu of Coronation chicken salad with home-made mayonnaise, cod with a chorizo and parmesan crust with roasted sweet potato, green beans and pear, five-spice and almond crumble with ginger crème fraiche.
Cooking skills will come in handy for Tom. He is one of five children from the same family to attend King Edward’s. His two brothers and two cousins, all day pupils, range from 3rd Form to Lower Sixth. The family live in Godalming.
Representing the Rotary Club of Godalming, vice president John Reid and Vivien Gillman, event organiser and member said they were impressed by the skills of the competitors. Ms. Gillman said “We have some very talented chefs coming through.”
Commenting on the high standard of entries, competition judge Giovanni Fontebasso said “You have all demonstrated excellent cookery skills, which is great for one of the youngest groups of contestants we have had.” Competition judge Omero Gallucci added “I have taught a lot of people and I’ve seen better skills from some of these young people than from many adults.”
King Edward’s has enjoyed success in the competition during the last 12 years of participation in the annual event. Mrs. Alison Tinsley, Head of Home Technology at King Edward’s, who organised the event on behalf of the School, said “In recent years we have had five competitors going through to the 3rd stage, which is great because at the district level we often compete with students at catering college.”
King Edward’s Headmaster, John Attwater, said “Tom was up against some stiff competition and he held his nerve and gave a superb performance. We are delighted he has qualified for the next round.”
If Tom succeeds in the Regional Final at Brookland’s College in Weybridge on 28th February, he will go on to compete in the National Final in April 2015 at Colleg Cambria in Wrexham.