A new cookery competition championing Isle of Wight produce and aimed at discovering new young talent was launched this week (27th Nov) at Priory Bay Hotel to all secondary schools on the Island.
The Create and Cook Competition invites all 12-14 year olds to design a two course menu using as much Island produce as possible. Run by fit2cook food education and sponsored by The Southern Co-operative, the competition wants to encourage young cooks to discover the fantastic local ingredients grown around them and be as creative as possible in their menus.
Oliver Stephens, Head Chef at Priory Bay Hotel, gave the food technology teachers an inspiring talk about his favourite Island ingredients including the many types of seaweed he uses from the hotel’s beach: “The Isle of Wight is such an inspiring place for me and it’s just incredible how much beautiful produce is available on our doorstep. Growing up on the Island gave me the opportunity to go fishing, crabbing and hunting for local Bembridge prawns and forage for herbs, berries and mushrooms. Being part of The Create and Cook Competition is a great opportunity to get the next generation excited about the amazing produce we have here on the Island.”
Entering through their school food technology department, the young cooks have until Friday 22nd March to work on their menus. The top Isle of Wight young cooks will then be chosen to cook their menus in front of a panel of judges, including Oliver Stephens, at the Cookery School at the Isle of Wight College in May 2013. The winning pair will go on to a Regional Final against Hampshire and West Sussex schools in June. The overall 2013 Create and Cook Competition winners will scoop the fit2cook trophy and £1000 for their school food technology department.
Organiser of The Create and Cook Competition, Min Raisman of fit2cook food education, said: “I am expecting great things from the Isle of Wight young cooks, with so many great food producers and farmers on the Island they will be tough competition for Hampshire and West Sussex schools. I can’t wait to see their entries!”
Lucy Avison from The Southern Co-operative said: “The Southern Co-operative is delighted to sponsor The Create and Cook Competition for the 4th year running. As a food retailer it is important for us to take responsibility for communicating key messages about food provenance and local sustainability, and this competition is a great platform to engage young people about the importance of these issues. Our stores have been selling Island produce for a number of years now and we are really excited to see how the young cooks showcase what the Isle of Wight has to offer.”
The Isle of Wight Create and Cook Competition is sponsored by The Southern Co-operative and supported by Cookery School at the Isle of Wight College, Priory Bay Hotel and Wightlink. For more information about the Competition www.fit2cook.co.uk/createandcook
Photo L to R: The Southern Co-operative’s Retail Business Manager at Cowes store, Gavin Hallam; Rose Havard from Carisbrooke College, Chantal Knight from Ryde Academy; Priory Bay Hotel’s Head Chef, Oliver Stephens; Head of the Cookery School at Isle of Wight College, Malcolm Alder-Smith; Create and Cook competition organiser Min Raisman of Fit2cook Food Education.
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