Chesterfield pupil Ryan Bruce has been named Derbyshire County Council’s Student Chef of the Year.
The foodie 15-year-old served up a dish of freshly made sweet and sour chicken served with wholegrain rice followed by a dessert of chocolate, orange and raspberry cake, to win the title.
To be named overall winner Whittington Green School pupil Ryan had to devise a menu for two on a budget of just £2 per head.
The competition – now in its 5th year – was organised by Derbyshire County Council’s school catering service and was open to students from Years 9 to 11. The food produced had to be suitable for serving to 14-year-olds in school.
Their food also had to reflect cultural diversity and include some seasonal, local produce and was judged during a ceremony at The Dome, Buxton.
Jack Handley, 14, from Belper School, won the title of best main course with his offering of spiced lamb kebabs with pea couscous.
St Philip Howard Catholic School student Cameron Waine, 15, created the best presentation table and also dessert – date and chocolate brownies with chantilly cream.
Winner Ryan was presented with £100 of shopping vouchers while both runners-up received £20.
Winners were awarded their certificates and prizes by Councillor Caitlin Bisknell, Derbyshire County Council’s deputy cabinet member for children and young people, who praised the students for their fantastic culinary skills.
“The standard of cooking was superb,” said a spokesperson for the council. “They all did extremely well in a very pressured environment.”
All the entrants produced delicious dishes and were each awarded a certificate and trophy. They were: Lee Smith and Connor Beardshaw from The Pingle School in Swadlincote, Leah Roberts, 15, from Whittington Green School in Chesterfield and Abigail May, 14, from Belper School.
The competition was judged by Kevin Hill, the county council’s primary catering manager, Katie Woods, Derbyshire County Council’s menu development officer and Karen Stanley, lecturer in hospitality and catering at Buxton College.
WINNING RECIPE: Masterchef Ryan Bryce from Whittington Green School beat off allcomers to become Derbyshire County Council’s Student Chef of the Year 2015. From left, Karen Stanley, lecturer in hospitality and catering at Buxton College; Derbyshire County Council’s menu development officer Katie Woods and deputy cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Caitlin Bisknell.
