Congratulations to Year 8, Amelia B, and Year 9, Ella M, who took second and third place in the District Heat of the Rotary Young Chef Competition in March.

The competition took place at Cheadle Hulme School and the students prepared and presented the three course menus that they had perfected with the assistance of former Claridges Head Pastry Chef, Andrew Bourne of The Alexandra Court Hotel in Congleton.

Chefs were set a £22 budget and 2 hour time limit and marks were allocated for all aspects of planning, preparation and presentation, including costing, correct use of equipment, hygiene, timings, neatness of working area and, of course, taste and appearance of each dish.

Amelia's menu comprised Oeuf Cocotte followed by Sea Bass Risotto and rounded off with a delicious Melt in the Middle Chocolate Pudding.

Ella prepared a starter of spicy chorizo, tomato and chilli sourdough, garnished with basil; then a main course of rosemary pork, served with celeriac mash, tenderstem broccoli, pea shoots, pomegranate seeds, and redcurrant jus, with a side of apple slaw; and finished with an appetising fruit tart dessert with homemade pastry, crème pâtissière and fresh berries

The two chefs worked extremely hard on their menus, both on the night and for many months prior to ensure that they were able to present the perfect dishes in the time allotted.