The Finals
At the Abergavenny Food Festival (Sunday 21 Sept) two super talented young chefs – Alex and Aled – competed in the final cook-off. Taking their place on the Gower Cottage Brownies Stage in the Market Hall was a whole new experience; very different from the earlier school heat.
Going for it…
Time to cook in front of a live audience, and hot on the heels of some of the Festival’s top guest chefs! They kept their cool and performed brilliantly, much to the delight of friends and family who were there to cheer them on. Alex won by the tightest of margins and will go forward to the next round of Rotary heats.
The Menu
Alex: Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups / Chicken and Cashew Nut Stir Fry
Aled: Avocado and Mango Dip with Tortilla Chips / Chicken Souvalki, Couscous, Greek Salad and Kzatziki
Congratulations are due to all pupils from King Henry VIII 3-19 School who took part in the earlier heat and are well on their way to becoming great future chefs!
Last image above – left to right: Phil Bowyer – Mayor of Abergavenny, Lucie Parkin – CEO of Abergavenny Food Festival, Anthony Davies – Chair of the Abergavenny Rotary Club Youth Committee, Daniel Jones – judging the competition (from Abergwaum Hotel, Fishguard), the two finalists Aled and Alex, and Robert Parker – Secretary Abergavenny Rotary Club.
(Below – first published in July)
Rotary ‘Young Chef’ talent takes it to the next level
On Wednesday 16th July we saw the School Heats of the Abergavenny Rotary Young Chef Competition take place in the brand-new King Henry VIII 3–19 School.
Eleven pupils put their outstanding culinary skills to the test. Two superb young chefs had the edge and will go head-to-head in the final cook-off at the Festival. See them in action on Sunday 21 September, 9:30am, on the Gower Cottage Brownies Stage in the Market Hall.
Congrats to the Finalists:
Alex – who cooked up a Butter Paneer Masala and Grilled Pineapple Flambé:
Aled – who served Chicken Aouvlaki with Greek salad, flavoured rice, and Cheesecake:
The judges were Franco Taruschio (renowned chef and Life Patron of the Festival) and Lucie Parkin (Festival Director) who wished both winners the very best of luck in the Finals. ‘This competition is a true highlight of my year’ said Lucie.
Alex and Aled received their certificates and prize money from Rotary Club President, Keith Willard.
Rotary Club Abergavenny thanked everyone who took part. The standard was high and everyone did brilliantly. Special thanks to food & nutrition teacher Karen Brasington and her fantastic team for all the organisation.
