Press Release

YOUNG CHEF ANNA’S AN IMMACULATE WINNER

6 May 2007

Anna Farrell became Rotary Young Chef 2007 by producing an immaculate meal at Rotary’s Great Britain and Ireland Final at Lutterworth, Leicestershire on Saturday 5th May.

Anna, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and a 14 year old student at John Colet School, produced a sharp clean table of food to convince judge Walter Zanré (of Filippo Berio Olive Oil) and his fellow judges from Fifteen Restaurant, Peter Begg and Alberto Conti, that she was the deserved winner of the Rotary Young Chef Rosebowl, which was presented by Rotary’s Great Britain and Ireland President Peter Offer.  She also received £250, a trip with her mum to this year’s olive oil harvest in Tuscany and a day’s experience at Fifteen, which was founded by Jamie Oliver.

Anna’s starter was lemon blinis topped with smoked salmon, caviar and crème fraiche.  This was followed by a main course of a moist roulade of chicken that was attractively presented.  Her dessert was squares of praline encasing a light and fluffy hazelnut mousse.  Anna was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aylesbury Hundreds.

The second prize of £200 was awarded to a thrilled Jessica Holloway.  Jessica, 16, attends Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, Dorset, and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dorchester Casterbridge.

Jessica attracted the judges with her superb organisation and a splendid main course vegetarian dish of a caramella filled with butternut squash, goat’s cheese and pesto.  Her starter was tiger prawn tails cooked in garlic with chorizo.  Her dessert was a summer fruit cheesecake with a coulis of berry fruits.

Third placed Laura Lowther, aged 15 and from Fleetwood, Lancashire, where she attends Fleetwood Sports College wowed the judges with a spectacular and flavourful soufflé of proscuito and pecorino cheese.  This was followed by well-cooked pan fried medallions of swordfish drizzled with salsa Giovanna.  Her dessert was a sharp and fruity rhubarb and ginger harlequin fool.

The judges also highly commended 16 year old Amy Cox, of Leicester and who attends Lutterworth Grammar School, for her stunning presentation and skilful sugar craft.

Judge Peter Begg of Fifteen Restaurant was amazed at the standard, “The finalists have all done really well.  There are several here that have the potential to become excellent chefs”.  His colleague Alberto Conti of Fifteen said “I have been thrilled by the tastes and delightful flavour combinations produced by the young chefs”.

Speaking as both sponsor and judge  Walter Zanré 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”.

The competition was organised by Rotarian Linda May (Rotary Club of Blaby Meridian) and was assisted by teacher Sarah Middleton and Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Blaby Meridian, Lutterworth and Lutterworth Wycliffe.