A very keenly contested Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion zone final for the Rotary Young Chef Competition was held recently at Pembrokeshire College.

All contestants were warmly congratulated by the judges for the high standards that they achieved. Alas, however, there could only be one winner, and the young chef who came out on top was Jon Griffiths, of Penglais School, Aberystwyth (representing the Rotary Club of Aberystwyth). Jon will now go on to represent the zone at the South Wales final at Barry College at a later date, and the winner there will then go on to the National Final at Birmingham.

The young chefs taking part with Jon were Gareth Moore, Cardigan Secondary High School (representing the Rotary Club of Cardigan), who was the runner-up, Dominique Morse, Ysgol Dyffryn Taf (representing the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland), Rebecca James, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard (representing the Rotary Club of Fishguard), Sian James, Aberaeron (representing the Rotary Club of Aberaeron), Lauren Lascelles, Pembroke School (representing the Rotary Club of Pembroke), and Ffion Roberts, a student at Pembrokeshire College, who represented the Rotary Club of Tenby.

All contestants were highly commended by the judges, Mr Phil Cope, retired professional catering lecturer, Rotarian Graham Fry (hotelier) and Mrs. Joyce Watson, faculty manager at Pembrokeshire College, who judged on a wide range of skills, such as menu preparation, presentation, timing, nutrition and taste.

Rotary International would like to sincerely thank all contestants for the enthusiasm and skill that they showed, the judges, the principal and all staff at Pembrokeshire College for kindly hosting the competition and for all their efforts, and not forgetting all supporters who provided transport etc. for the finalists.