The accolade of The Dairy Council Young Cook of the Year 2016 has gone to Banbridge Academy’s Olivia Miskimmons, in Year 8.

Olivia’s Menu:

Finn McCool’s Seafood Crumble served with Creamy Colcannon and Seasonal Northern Irish Vegetables.  These were accompanied with Madden’s Mellow Apple cider and Rocwell Still Natural Mineral Water.

Dessert was Bramley Apple and Bushmills Whiskey Tarts served with Yellowman Ice-cream, Warm Custard and a Cup of Apple Loves Mint Tea)

The final was held in Holy Cross College, Strabane on Tuesday 19^th April 2016 and Olivia won not only the KS3 Northern Ireland final but was also selected as the overall winner of this competition.

There had been weeks of preparation and every last detail had been thought of to make this dish look and taste spectacular. From the time Olivia submitted the application, there wasn’t a minute wasted and the practising of dishes started almost immediately. Finn McCool’s Fish Crumble became a staple in the Miskimmons’ household and even Olivia’s younger brother was in on the taste testing. One night, as he was eating the crumble he had a Eureka moment, announcing; “It tastes a little bland, it could do with a bit more salt and pepper’. Olivia and the rest of the Miskimmons family believe this is what clenched the title for them and this last minute addition of more seasoning helped to give her the final edge!

After the announcement of the winners, Olivia was treated like a celebrity as she had to do several photo shoots with her trophy and the ingredients she had used in her dishes. The judges spoke to her and reported that they were ‘wowed’ by her dishes, commenting that they were ‘amazing’. Additionally the table presentation reflected local foods and customs.

Olivia coped with the pressure very well and this truly is an incredible achievement at this young age. The judges agreed that this would be the start of many culinary successes in the future for Olivia and they are excited to see her in the future at other equally prestigious competitions.

Olivia put in a huge amount of time and effort and it was great to see this being rewarded with the title of The Dairy Council Young Cook of the Year 2016.