Students from Ratton, Bedes, Cavendish, Willingdon, The Eastbourne Academy and St. Catherine’s competed at the 2022 Eastbourne Young Chef finals at Ratton School, on Tuesday 28th June.
Following a break since 2018, the 24th annual competition was organised by local charity, Eastbourne Education Business Partnership in conjunction with The Grand Hotel. The finalists, who each had to design a 3-course menu to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of her majesty the Queen, had ninety minutes in which to prepare their main dish for judging.
“This was another impressive year of entries from our young chefs. We were treated to some very creative and tasty dishes that made the job of judging a challenge in itself but very enjoyable”, commented Hrvoje Loncarevic, Executive Head Chef at The Grand Hotel, who supervised the judging.
Allison Brachtvogel, representing the Eastbourne Hospitality Association and Michael Hales, representing the Institute of Hospitality – Sussex Branch, whose organisations had both sponsored the event, assisted Hrvoje with judging.
Mentor chefs from The View, Grand, Hydro and Langham hotels plus Eastbourne EBP had supported the schools during their individual school heats. This added a work-related dimension to the competition and provided additional support for the students and their teachers.
The two category winners, Daisy (Years 7/8) and Edward (Years 9/10), both received a ‘Young Chef’ trophy plus special prizes. The remaining finalists each received a certificate and prizes ‘in recognition of achievement’.