Aspiring chefs impress Mayor at Young Chef of the Year

8 October 2013

On Saturday 5 October Oaklands College held the popular Young Chef of the Year competition for second year running in their new state-of-the-art kitchens. The competition, which was open to aspiring chefs in years 9 to 11, saw 24 pupils take part in the cook off held at the St Albans Campus. 

Young chefs submitted recipes to compete in the starters, mains and the popular desserts category and were judged by St Albans Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, as well as industry professionals including owner of Lussmans, Andrei Lussman, Johnny Shepherd (Mr. Pud) owner of the The Pudding Stop, and the College’s own resident chef lecturers Mark Sharples and Paul Wood.

The competition attracted students from the local area to further afield including Ware, New Southgate and Hitchin. The young chef’s brought along supporters including teachers from their schools, family members and friends. 

Taste buds were tantalised by spices and sweet flavours throughout the day and there was a large array of cheers when the winners were announced and presented with their £100 cheque prize.

Principal of Oaklands College, Zoe Hancock, commented: “The standard of the competition was outstanding. The College would like to warmly congratulate all of the young chefs that took part and the winners, Sam Bailey for his starter, Emily Rigby for her main and Mollie Swain for her dessert.”