By Robert Lloyd
Llanelli Rotary Club are staging a Young Chef competition for Llanelli school pupils.
The competition is being staged at Bryngwyn Comprehensive School on Wednesday, February 6.
The event is part of a national competition which offers a host of prizes, including a trip to Tuscany, a day’s tuition with a Michelin-star chef in the UK and a cash prize.
One of the organisers of the Llanelli heat of the competition is Rotarian Alison Evans.
She said: “Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland believes it is highly important to encourage and develop creativity in young people, and this includes creativity in the kitchen.
“Cooking among young people is a growing interest and a valuable life skill. Schools seem to agree and hence the RIBI Young Chef competition, in association with Filippo Berio, moves forward from strength to strength each year producing some superb quality cooking from our young people aged from 11 to 17.”
The Llanelli competition judges include Welsh food champion, broadcaster and writer Simon Wright and celebrity chef Anna Brown, pictured above.
The competition will require competitors to cook three courses for two people on a budget of £15.
Mrs Evans added: “They can spend their £15 on whatever they chose, but they will have to list how they have spent their money at the recipe stage.
“They then have 30 minutes to prepare and set a table for two and two hours cooking time.
“So far, we have had entries from Bryngwyn, St John Lloyd and St Michael’s schools.
“The judges will be giving competitors tips and encouragement on how to improve their cooking skills.
“The cooking will be behind closed doors, but with the judges and helpers present. There will be a public session starting at 8pm when the judges will give their verdict.
“There will be a trophy for the winner and other prizes – and, of course, the winner goes through to the next round of the competition.”
Thousands of youngsters entered in the 2012 competition and were shortlisted down to eight after competing in local and regional competitions.
The contestants prepared and presented their three course meals for judging by an expert panel including Danilo Trozzi, Fellippo Berio’s Head Chef, Lizzie Kamenetzky, the Food Editor from Delicious Magazine and Olly McGeorge, the 2011 winner.
In 2012, 15-year-old Isabelle Chavez from Fleet took the top chef title and is looking forward to a trip to Tuscany for the live harvesting and cookery experience, courtesy of generous sponsors Filippo Berio. Isabelle is also being treated to a one-day cookery experience at Auberge Du Lac. Her three course menu excited the judges with a rich blend of flavours and excellent use of ingredients.
Anyone interested in entering the competition should email one of the following Llanelli Rotarians –
- Alison Evans – alisonevans@cilfig.freeserve.co.uk
- Mark Evans – markevans482@talktalk.com
- Anthony Jones – anthony@tadbuilders.co.uk
Weblinks: www.llanellirotary.com, http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-young-chef
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