Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland

Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland believes it is highly important to encourage and develop creativity in young people, and this includes creativity in the kitchen. Cooking amongst young people is a growing interest and a valuable life skill. Schools seem to agree and hence the RIBI Young Chef competition, in association with Filippo Berio, moves forward from strength to strength each year producing some superb quality cooking from our young people aged from 11 to 17.

Thousands of youngsters entered in the 2012 competition and were shortlisted down to eight after competing in local and regional competitions. The contestants prepared and presented their three course meals for judging by an expert panel including Danilo Trozzi, Fellippo Berio's Head Chef, Lizzie Kamenetzky, Food Editor from Delicious Magazine and Olly McGeorge who was the 2011 winner.

This year, 15 year old Isabelle Chavez from Fleet took the top chef title and is looking forward to a trip to Tuscany for the live harvesting and cookery experience, courtesy of  generous sponsors Filippo Berio. Isabelle is also being treated to a one-day cookery experience at Auberge Du Lac. Her three course menu excited the judges with a rich blend of flavours and excellent use of ingredients:

Starter
Smoked haddock pâté, beetroot relish, malted soda bread

Main Course
Rolled turkey breast, wrapped in Pancetta, gratin dauphinoise and baked carrots

Dessert
Lemon tart with raspberry coulis

In second place was 15 year old Elise Mabbutt from Norwich with third place going to Emma Rooke, 13, from Preston.

For more information about stirring things up contact your local Rotary club.

For information on the 2013 competition, please click here.