From left to right: Ton Finkel, organiser, Lisa Shaw, judge, Tom Gardner, judge, and District Governor 1130 (London) , Michael Hodge with Sasha hold the certificate and cup.
Sasha heads off to the Young Chef UK National Finals.
The South East Regional Final of the Rotary Young Chef competition took place in London last Saturday. The competition is designed to encourage young people between the age of 11 and 17 to develop food preparation skills, consider healthy eating options and prepare a menu within a set budget. On the day students were required to prepare a meal for two people.
Sasha Martin from the Gateway Academy had entered and won the Local Rotary Young Chef competition organised by the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock held at the South Essex College in Grays. Representing her school and the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock she then progressed to the Rotary District competition held in Chelmsford which again she won which led to the regional finals last Saturday. To help her hone her skills Graeme Collie from the South Essex College and her teacher Surraya Constable at the Gateway Academy were mentoring her which helped her to fine tune her skills.
For the Regional finals Sasha menu on Saturday included for entree: crispy Prosciutto, Buffalo Mozzarella & Blow Torched Figs homemade “Focaccia”, Pea Shoots, Balsamic Glaze, Basil Oil. For the main dish she prepared: Pan Roasted Suffolk Pork, Celeriac Puree and Parsnip Crisps, Honey Roast Vegetables, Sprouts, Red Wine Pan Gravy and for Dessert, Chocolate & Banana Avocado Mousse, Raspberry Coulis Chocolate & Pistachio Soil, Pistachio Tuille, Fresh Raspberries.
Despite fierce competition at the Regional Finals at the end of the event the judges announced that ‘Sasha Martin’ was the winner. She now moves onto the Rotary Young Chef National Final at Telford at the end of April. Nicholas Wilkinson from the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock said “the food prepared by Sasha was magnificent and I am delighted she won. I know everyone at the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock is wishing Sasha well when she goes to the national final”