Kids on course for honours

Sep 26 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CITTASLOW Perth and Springboard UK are joining forces to encourage Big County teenagers to showcase their cooking skills in a national competition.

And chef Graeme Pallister reckons local kids will again rustle up a recipe for success.

Last year, the Tayside heat was won by 15-year-old Claire Houston of Blairgowrie High School, who went on to win the Scottish Final and represent Scotland in the UK Grand Final, where each of the 11 finalists had just two hours to conjure up a delicious main course and a desert.

As part of her prize for taking the Tayside honours, Claire spent a day in Graeme’s kitchens at Perth’s 63 Tay Street.

One Scotland’s top chefs, Graeme will shortly be part of the UK Chefs Delegation making for the Terre Madre Slow Food Convention in Turin.

Italy bound Graeme said: “It is essential that we attract more young people into catering and hospitality. They are two of Scotland’s biggest industries and offer all kinds of opportunities.”

Each year, Springboard UK promotes the national FutureChef competition and the Tayside heat is being sponsored by Cittaslow Perth. The competition is open to pupils in all local secondary schools.