The annual Rotary Young Chef competition organised by the Rotary Club of Tenby took place at Pembrokeshire College recently with four capable student finalists from the Level 2 Professional Catering course competing for the award.
The competition was created to give young people the chance to show off their creative culinary talents and to learn important life skills. The young chefs had two-hours to prepare and cook medium rare duck accompanied by a sauce, garnish and vegetables of their choice taken from a mystery box of ingredients provided by local suppliers with predominantly local ingredients; followed by a chocolate torte with a cherry sauce.
The Rotary Club of Tenby is particularly grateful to Pembrokeshire College for hosting the event and to professional chefs, Matthew Ronowitz (Qube and Reef restaurants) and Andrew Swales (consultant), of Tenby, who gave their time in supporting this important event imparting advice and guidance to the students as they prepared their dishes.
President Stephen Williams, of Tenby, led a panel of judges, who after a difficult decision voted student Ben Brown the winner. A presentation evening will take in the coming weeks.
"The competition was great, it was an exhilarating two hours," said winner Ben Brown, of Summerhill, who works part-time at The Parsonage, St. Florence and wants to eventually run his own restaurant. "Pembrokeshire College staff and students are very thankful for the efforts of the Rotary Club of Tenby in organising this competition," commented lecturer Mark James. "It helps to raise standards and aspirations for the next generation of professional chefs."
For more information about gaining skills to become a professional chef go to http://www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/tourism">www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/tourism or call admissions on 01437 753108. The Rotary Club of Tenby would like to thank Pembrokeshire College, the judges, Matthew Ronowitz and Andrew Swales, together with the Sponsors of the fresh produce for the competition, J. V. Rowe and Sons (butchers, Tenby), Castell Howell Foods, and Four Seasons (fruit and vegetables, Tenby).