Cream rises to the top in Havering young chef battle
Winner Melissa (middle) with the runners up and judges Paul Gayler (far left) and Matt Smith (far right) - Credit: Archant
Four of the most talented young chefs in Havering went head to head in a MasterChef style battle at Havering College on Thursday to find the borough’s best young cook.
Contestant Casey Joiner-O'Riordan carefully preparing her dish - Credit: Archant
The youngsters were battling it out to be crowned Havering and Brentwood Schools’ Young Chef of the Year in the Jubilee Restaurant at the Havering College Quarles Campus in Harold Hill.
Judges Paul Gayler (left) and Matt Smith (right) get stuck in to some culinary offerings - Credit: Archant
After much chopping, stirring, grilling, roasting and even a little blow-torching, the coveted trophy was awarded to Melissa Davis, 15, a Year 10 pupil at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School.
In the end there can be only one - Credit: Archant
Melissa said: “I was shocked at being announced as the winner, I honestly couldn’t believe it and did not expect it at all.”
“It has been a lovely experience, I found it challenging cooking under pressure but I was used top it as I have been preparing for the competition for a while.”
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Melissa’s mum Hilary Davis, 47, said: “It’s overwhelming and amazing that she won, it’s the culmination of a whole months work. We’ll be going home to celebrate but not for long because Melissa has school in the morning!”
Supporters including teachers and family members watched the cooking action live thanks to a video link filmed by two of the college’s media students, Ali Saula and Chris Montengo.
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Ms Davis said: “It was like watching big brother, there was no sound and it made us all nervous for them as they were cooking.”
Each of the contestants prepared a three course meal which was judged by celebrity chef Paul Gayler MBE and former competitor Matt Smith, 19, now a commis chef at the five star Park Lane hotel.
Mr Gayler said: “As a chef with more than 40 years’ experience, I do a lot of judging both here and abroad but I particularly enjoy this competition for young students.
“It is so refreshing to see these young people coming up with original and exciting dishes.
“It just shows their love for food and what they have been able to produce in very formal conditions is commendable.
“The standard of food was very high and only seven marks separated top from bottom, it was difficult but we had to choose a winner.”
The Havering College competition was launched eight years ago to encourage young people to prepare and cook food, develop their knowledge and appreciation of fresh ingredients and give them a flavour for a career as a professional chef.
Supporting judge Matt Smith, now a commis chef at the five star Park Lane Hotel, is a former competitor who went on to gain his catering qualifications at Havering College.
Matt said: “It’s fantastic to be invited back into my old college as a judge I remember what it was like to be in the competition. I was every bit as nervous as these finalists.”
Runners-up Viktoria Figula-Dera, 14, Casey Joiner-O’Riordan, 15, and Eleanor Webb, 16, also received indvidual trophies.
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