Young Watford chefs do battle (From Watford Observer)

Young Watford chefs do battle

2:30pm Saturday 21st November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

SEVEN young chefs from Watford schools competed this morning, striving to cook the tastiest and most nourishing two-course meal possible for £14.

The local heat of a national contest with the ultimate prize of a trip to Italy, the Rotary Club event was won by Deborah Cray, 15, of Watford Girls' Grammar School.

Judges led by Jacob Melard, head chef at The Grove Hotel, were impressed by her presentation of herb-encrusted salmon with mashed potato and asparagus, followed by lemon meringue pie with raspberry sauce.

The cooks prepared their dishes this morning at West Herts College's Cassio campus in Langley Road, presenting them at noon for judging and consumption by invited guests.

Deborah, who won a day in the kitchens at The Grove, followed by a meal for four, told the Watford Observer: “I had so much fun cooking. I'd like to study an A-level in cookery here and maybe go on to a career in food or catering eventually.”

Watford MP Claire Ward, one of the guests said: “This competition is a great idea.

“People should be encouraged to get cookery skills – not just basic skills but the advanced level we have seen here.

“This is a really good co-operation between the Rotary Club and the West Herts College.”

Mr Melard said: “All the entries are of an extremely high standard, showing a lot of initiative.”

Deborah goes on to the next round of the contest in Aylesbury in February.