It’s been a very rewarding year so far for students from Banbridge Academy’s Home Economics Department, who have been cooking up a storm recently, having been awarded winners at not one, not two but three cookery competitions held in the province. 

On Wednesday 10^th February, Robert Mathers and Katie Russell, Year 11, joined six young, aspiring chefs at the Northern Ireland Regional Final of Springboard’s FutureChef 2016 Competition at Belfast Met College where they showcased their fantastic cooking, budgeting and time management skills.

Robert came a close runner-up by presenting a fantastic menu of Pan-fried Trout with Cucumber Pickle and Fondant Potato.  His dessert was a Chocolate Fondant.

Katie cooked up a winner by serving up a menu of Blowtorched Mackerel with Calamari, Chorizo, Spinach and New Potatoes and Deconstructed Strawberry Shortcake, which according to the judges she delivered with the confidence of a professional.

Thus Katie cooked her way into the national finals of Springboard’s FutureChef 2016 competition.

Springboard’s FutureChef, is a nationwide culinary initiative which is delivered in over 550 schools nationwide. The main goal of the FutureChef is to assist young people aged 12-16 to learn the vital life skills of cooking and understanding nutrition as well as providing invaluable insight into and inspiration for building a career within the hospitality industry.

Head Judge Barry Emerson of Compass commented:

“Katie wowed us with her complete focus, highly organised and calm approach to working in such a pressured environment and at the same time, she displayed a real understanding of the techniques to produce great food. I’ve worked with professionals who would have been delighted to have produced the results Katie did and she really stood out today. I’m very proud to be part of the Springboard FutureChef initiative and it’s so encouraging to know that there is a new generation of chefs with the talent to succeed in this wonderful industry.”

Following her success at the Regional Final, Katie stated: “I am overwhelmed and didn’t expect to win today: it has been a fantastic experience and I can’t wait for the National Final”.

This is the third time that a pupil from Banbridge Academy has made it to the National Finals: following in the footsteps of Christine Graham in 2014 and Victoria Willis in 2005.  Victoria went on to win the competition.  The 2016 competition culminated on the 14 March 2016, with the National Final taking place at Westminster Kingsway College in London.

Although Katie didn’t win the national prize, she enjoyed the experience greatly.