Young chefs compete for Rotary Club prize

Jul 1 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE final of the Rotary Club of Perth Young Chef Competition took place at the Community School of Auchterarder.

Michael Watson, representing Perth Academy, was the first male winner.

The competition was judged by well-known local restaurateur, Willie Deans, of “Deans at Let’s Eat” in Perth.

As well as winning the coveted Young Chef Trophy, presented by Willie Deans, Michael received a smaller replica as a keepsake, along with a meal for two people at the judge’s restaurant.

Michael’s winning menu comprised his mouth-watering steamed salmon on a bed of kale with potato cake and a smoked haddock sauce, which was complimented on being “perfectly cooked and slightly pink in the middle”.

His sweet dish was a lemon sponge with raspberries and blueberries in a light apple jelly, topped with Drambuie Pannacota and a raspberry glaze.

However, Michael’s sweet didn’t win the special prize in that category, with the winning pudding being prepared by Rachel Davidson, of Blairgowrie High School, who used local strawberries as her main ingredient.

Five local schools were represented in the final by two successful pupils who had already had to win their opportunity to represent their school.

The schools involved were the Community School of Auchterarder, Perth Academy, Perth High School, Breadalbane Academy and Blairgowrie High School.