Young chef claims cooking prize

Monday 23rd April 2012

Teenage chef Isabelle Chavez has cooked up a storm to claim the top prize in a national competition.

The 15-year-old from St Nicholas' School, in Fleet, Hampshire, beat thousands of other competition entrants to win the Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (Ribi) Young Chef competition.

Isabelle, who was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fleet, went head to head with seven other young chefs in the final at Denman College, Oxford.

They were challenged to create a three-course meal on a budget of £15 in just two hours.

Isabelle claimed the top prize with her menu of smoked haddock pate, beetroot relish, and malted soda bread to start, followed by rolled turkey breast, wrapped in pancetta, gratin dauphinoise and baked carrots, and finally lemon tart with raspberry coulis.

She will now enjoy a trip to Tuscany to sample Italian cooking at Filippo Berio's olive groves and take part in a cooking class at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Isabelle said: "I am over the moon at winning the competition. I love cooking and the atmosphere here is just amazing. My family and friends have been great supporters. I'm really looking forward to the day's cookery experience and the trip to Tuscany."

Second place was awarded to Elise Mabbutt from Norwich, third place was given to Emma Rooke from Preston, while Zoe Sing from Exeter won best dish.

President of Ribi, Ray Burman, said: "This is one of the most demanding competitions in the Ribi portfolio. The contestants need to stay cool in the kitchen, despite their obvious passion and knowledge for food. Isabelle is a talented young chef and I may even ask for cooking lessons myself."

Rotary International aims to help change lives in communities.

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