Index

Gastronomic Feast at South Lanarkshire College

The regional finals for the prestigious Rotary Young Chef were held at South Lanarkshire College on Saturday 13th March.

Six schools from all parts of Scotland participated in this event, Jax Catto from St Columba’s High Kilmacolm, Natasha Macpherson from Kirkcudbright Academy, Fraser Cleghorn from Inveralmond High School, Caitlin Grainger from Charleston Academy Inverness, Blair Wilson from Auchmuty High Glenrothes and Kirsty Immel from Calderglen High East Kilbride.

Ishbel Anderson of South Lanarkshire College welcomed John Tuck, the Rotary organizer; the young Chefs, Parents, Friends and Rotarians then John Tuck introduced the 3 judges prior to starting the competition.

Commencing promptly at 12.30 the young chefs were allocated one hour for preparation including dressing their tables and then a further 2 hours to cook, plate and serve a 3 course meal.

Parents and friends who came along to support the schools were treated to soup, tea, coffee scones and many other treats supplied free of charge by the college and attended to by college students. All this was arranged by Catherine Purcell of South Lanarkshire College who was also very much involved with the organising of the kitchens and dining rooms for the event.

The Judges Cecilia Young, Lecturer at Telford College, Edinburgh, Liz Fairbairn, Retired Lecturer and David Auchie, Lecturer in food production at the college and also a Master Chef of Great Britain took 20 minutes to taste the food and appraise the table settings and presentations. However, due to the very high level of skill of all 6 chefs it took them another 40 minutes to select the eventual winner, Caitlin Grainger from Charleston Academy.

Liz Fairbairn commented on the extremely high standard and the acute attention to detail.

Kirsty Immel of Calderglen High, coached by her teacher Nicole Burns, produced a super menu with a starter of Salmon Tartar ( laced with Vodka) main course of chicken breast stuffed with haggis and wrapped with Parma ham and a mouth watering desert of Cranachan (laced with whisky). She also had a bottle of Drambuie on the table but none of this appeared to influence the judges.

The winner’s trophy was trophy was presented to Caitlin Grainger by Rotary District Governor, Andy Slater with each young chef receiving a certificate.

Caitlin is now one of 8 students from schools across Great Britain and Ireland who will be competing in the Rotary Young Chef Final on 24th April in Chichester.