Success for student chefs at Schools Young Cook of the Year
Schools from Cavan, Monaghan, and The Boyne Valley Flavours Region (Meath and Louth) took part in the ‘Created In Cavan’ regional final of the Schools Young Cook of the Year.
The event took place at Cavan Institute last month, March 15.
Teams on the day represented Inver College, Carrickmacross (Sarah Callinan and Emma Hernandez), Beech Hill College, Monaghan (Ella Coyle and Deirbhile Kenny), Coláiste Dún an Rí Kingscourt (Fayth Daly and Rebekah Ritchie), St Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff (Bláthnaid Farrelly and Tara McCabe), Eureka Secondary School, Kells (Evelyn Oates and Dayna McGoohan) and Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda (Ellen Farrell and Tofumni Olanlokun).
This is the inaugural regional competition, which was run in association with Created in Cavan, Cavan County Council, Cavan Institute and Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board.
Students were tasked with using as much local produce from their region in their dishes, in addition to a ‘mystery box’.
Teams had two hours to prepare, cook, and present a two course dish to impress judges Norbert Neylon, Oak Room Restaurant; chef, broadcaster and columnist Gary O’Hanlon and Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager, SuperValu.
Marianne McDonald, Food Strategy Co-ordinator with Cavan County Council said: “We’re delighted to see a positive reaction from all the schools involved. It’s great to have their teachers here today and to have the focus on local produce from the Created In Cavan Network, Monaghan Food Network and The Boyne Valley Flavours Region.”
Karen Fitzpatrick, deputy director of Cavan Institute, congratulated all the finalists, and told students about the successful Culinary Arts programme running in Cavan Institute.
Cllr Carmel Brady, chair of Cavan and Monaghan ETB, said: “The students here today have inspired us all with their amazing culinary skills. The aim of today was to engage with local schools and to educate the participants on the importance of our local food economy.”
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the ETB held in Ballybay, she once again praised Marianne McDonald; Pauric White, instructor of the Commis Chef Programme, Cavan Institute and Michelle Marron, Commis Chef Programme manager, Cavan Institute for their work in organising the competition.
“It was amazing to see how much talent was there,” she stated.
Norbert Neylon presented the award for third place to the team from St Clare’s College Ballyjamesduff, with Gary O’Hanlon presenting second prize to the team from Coláiste Dún an Rí, Kingscourt.
Carmel Biggane presented first place to the team representing Inver College in Carrickmacross.
Enterprise awards
Meanwhile, the winners of a Cavan Local Enterprise Awards representing CMETB Schools will go on to National Final in Croke Park on May 5.
The county final took place at the Hotel Kilmore last month.
Winners include BASCAA Frames of St Bricins College in the Intermediate Category; and Something for Everyone of Coláiste Dun an Rí in the Senior Catagory.
There was success too for Sweets & Treats of Coláiste Dun an Rí who earned Runner Up in the Junior Category; and JOE Construction of St Mogue’s College got third place in the Senior Category.
Awards were given too to Abigail Tully of Breifne College who earned the ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey Prize’; and special awards given to Second Chance Breifne, Breifne College (Best Display); and Bijurk of St Bricins College (Teamwork).