Photograph: Oliver McGeorge (middle) winner of 2011 RIBI Young Chef with Zoe Sing, left, taking second place and Tia Allen, right, awarded third place. Photography by Jim Henderson.
There must be something in the water in Cumbria as youngsters from the county have taken home the titles of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) Young Chef and RIBI Youth Speaks 2011. Both sets of winners were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Windermere.
As tensions and the heat increased in the kitchens at Stratford-upon-Avon College, 15 year old Oliver McGeorge from Ullswater kept his cool and served up three winning dishes to scoop the RIBI Young Chef 2011 title.
The competition, in association with Filippo Berio, saw nearly 6,000 youngster from all across the country take part in school, local and regional heats with just eight finalists making it to Warwickshire for the national final at Stratford-upon-Avon College.
15 year old Oliver discovered his love for creative cuisine a little over a year ago when he started helping his father, a chef, in a hotel restaurant. This set his imagination alight and Oliver has secured a place in cookery school in Marseilles for when he leaves school.
His menu included pan seared scallops for starters, Yew Tree farm lamb with sweet potato fondant and white onion puree for the main course with his desert consisting of a hot plum souffle with plum compote.
Zoe Sing, 15, from Devon, came second with Tia Allen, 16 and from Ahsby School, Leicestershire, coming third.
Barely 24 hours later and Windermere School lifted the trophy for RIBI Youth Speaks. Their presentation topic of ‘But is it art?’ had the audience enthralled, entertained and engaged.
Pippa Smith, Poppy Bullard and Richard Flint had entered the competition the year before and were determined to make it past the school heats. Not only did they succeed in their mission, they have taken the title for the national competition in the senior category with Pippa being awarded Best Speaker and Richard Flint awarded the Best Vote of Thanks title as well.
First place for the intermediate category was given to Roundwood Park School for their topic of ‘What has happened to good manners?’. Hester Moore, Hannah Berry and Olivia Donovan were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Harpenden. Hannah was also awarded the Best Speaker accolade.
Second place went to St Brigid’s School, Denbigh for their topic of ‘Alternative energy’. Third place was awarded to St Richard’s Catholic College, Bexhill, with Declan Mason awarded Best Chair for the Intermediate Category. Their topic was ‘What is reality?’.
The national final for RIBI Youth Speaks took place at the stunning Cranleigh School in Surrey.
There are many opportunities for youngsters within Rotary including RIBI Young Photographer, RIBI Young Writer and RIBI Young Musician. Interact and Rotaract clubs are great ways to make new friends and enjoy making a difference. Visit Young Rotary for more information or speak to your local Rotary club.
