YORKSHIRE SCHOOLBOY WINS ROTARY YOUNG CHEF 2008

April 20th 2008

Thomas Souter won the Rotary Young Chef in association with Filippo Berio 2008 competition with a splendid three course meal at Rotary’s Great Britain and Ireland Final, at Westminster Kingsway College in London on Saturday 19th April.

Thomas, from Helmsley Yorkshire is a 16 year old student at Ryedale School. He produced a meal which impressed the judges Trevor Howard, Sous Chef at Fifteen Restaurant, Emma Marsden Cookery Editor of Good Housekeeping, Adam Leyland Editor of The Grocer and Diana Anderson, Marketing Manager Filippo Berio Olive Oil. Thomas wowed the judges with his superb organisational and presentational skills and all round flair.

Thomas was presented with the Rotary Young Chef Rose Bowl trophy by Allan Jagger President Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. He also received a cheque for £250, a trip with his mum to visit Tuscany, the home of Filippo Berio and tour its amazing olive groves and a day’s experience at Fifteen restaurant, which was founded by Jamie Oliver. Allan said ”I congratulate all the finalists here today, Rotary is very proud to support young people and we are delighted that this year’s competition attracted over 4000 entrants.”

Thomas’s starter was a salad of langoustine on marinated goat’s cheese with confit of cherry tomatoes and a citrus mayonnaise. This was followed by a trio of duck served with thyme mash and orange sauce. His dessert was fresh vanilla pot with a compote of rhubarb, all attractively presented. Thomas was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Helmsley and District.

The second prize of £200 was awarded to Amy Jones. Amy, 16, is a pupil at The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and she was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dorchester Casterbridge.

Amy attracted the judges with her starter of mille feuille of goat’s cheese and beetroot with rocket, chard and balsamic, followed by seared Guilt Head bream with crispy potato, marinated fennel and cucumber salsa. Her dessert was peach and orange mousse with a tuille biscuit.

Third placed Jason Ellis aged 16 from Pwlhelli, where he attends Botwnnog School, impressed the judges with his starter of fresh Cardigan Bay scallops. This was followed by pork saltimbocca and a dessert of steamed sponge. Jason was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bangor.

Judge Trevor Howard of Fifteen Restaurant was amazed at the standard, “The finalists have all done really well. I have been thrilled by the tastes and delightful flavour combinations produced by the young chefs, they are all outstanding youngsters.”

Speaking as both sponsor and judge Diana Anderson said “I am delighted with the enthusiasm and skills shown by these young people today. Filippo Berio are proud to be able to encourage and reward these young people as they experience the enjoyment of cooking”.
Gary Hunter, Head of Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College, said: “The standard of the young chefs in the Rotary Young Chef competition has been fantastic. The level of cooking and the knowledge of the competitors were extremely high and I would welcome any of the eight finalists to study at Westminster Kingsway College in the future.”

Thomas was presented with the Rotary Young Chef Rose Bowl trophy, a cheque for £250,
The competition was organised by Rotarian Linda May (Rotary Club of Blaby Meridian) assisted by Alan O’Neil and Rotarians from Rotary Clubs in London.

Winner Tom Souter has secured a place at a restaurant with a Michelin star when he leaves school. He already works on Saturdays at the thatched village restaurant, the Star Inn at Harome, and chef/owner Andrew Pern has snapped up the talented youngster, who has a passion for cooking.

For more information, photos and interviews please contact Judith Diment on 07860 162313 or email Judith@thediments.co.uk

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