The Regional Final of the national FutureChef competition for young people aged 12 to 16 took place in Peterborough Regional College's Parcs Restaurant on Saturday 13th January between 10.00am and 2.00pm.
Local Heat Winners
The winner of the Local Heat, Lizzy Taylor, from the George Farmer Technology and Language College at Holbeach, competed against; David Wilson from Bungay High School, Suffolk, Philip Oberhoffer from Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, Norfolk, Sean Austin from Wootton Upper School, Bedfordshire.
Lizzy, Sean, Philip and David.(l-r)
Just 10 Points
After a closely fought competition, with only ten marks separating the contestants, Philip Oberhoffer from Norfolk, who is aged 14, was named the winner. Philip's mentor chef was his father, Robert, from the Dove Restaurant at Harleston in Norfolk.
Developing Youngsters
Organised by the Springboard Charitable Trust, which promotes careers in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, FutureChef aims to foster a passion for cooking and food. It helps to support the food technology and catering curriculum at Key Stage 4, and contributes to pupils' learning experiences at Key Stage 3. FutureChef helps to develop contacts with the real world of work, whilst contributing to the school's Work Related Learning programmes.
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Philip's Menu
Pan fried breast of Norfolk chicken with a Stilton and spinach farce, wrapped in Black Forest ham with a braised potato and garlic on a parsnip puree, Savoy cabbage and mushrooms infused with thyme and sherry, finished with a jus lie.
This was followed by Norfolk apple and cinnamon crumble with a compote of forest berries and mascarpone.
Judges for the Regional Final in Parcs were:
- Kevin Wood, Head Chef at the Best Western Orton Hall Hotel in Peterborough
- Lee Maycock, Culinary Consultant
- Keith Smee of Wadenhoe House near Oundle.
- The other mentor chefs were Mark Tomeo, Ian McAndrew and Loretta Hartley.
Keith Smee, as head judge, commented that the standard of cooking and presentation by the contestants was extremely high. He and the others judges spent time at the end of the event giving the contestants valuable feedback.
FutureChef is a great way to introduce our local young people to the world of cooking and to the fantastic career opportunities associated with it. The links created between local hospitality establishments and secondary schools in FutureChef will pay long term dividends within our Sector.”
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1st Place
Philip Oberhoffer
Archbishop Sancroft High School
Norfolk
Jane Smith, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter, presented Philip with prizes which included:
- Commemorative plate from Springboard
- Set of knives from Russums
- £300 voucher for catering equipment from David Iacono of Caterfix
- A masterclass with Keith Smee of Wadenhoe House, near Oundle.
All the contestants received; packs from Springboard and £10 HMV voucher sponsored by Scolarest.
Lizzy, as local heat winner, also won a day with Peterborough City Council's Environmental Health Officers.
What's Next?
Philip now goes on to the National Final at Jamie Oliver's alma mater, Westminster Kingsway College, London, on 19 March 2007.
He will have to prepare and cook a two-course meal consisting of a hot main course and a hot or cold dessert for two from a specially selected basket of ingredients provided prior to the Final. A panel of celebrity and other well-respected chefs within the industry will judge the National Final, hosted by Brian Turner.
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