Young Chef competition

Senlac Rotary’s Young Chef of the Year, 15-year-old Felix Phillips from Robertsbridge Community College, recreated his winning menu on Thursday 17th January at Sussex Coast College, Hastings. With the help of college lecturer, Jeff Lucas, and students for the college he prepared the three-course meal to be served to nearly 50 members and guests of Senlac Rotary in the college’s restaurant. His menu of Courgette, leek and goats cheese soup, Pea and smoked salmon pasta followed by Tiramisu showed he was a worthy winner of the competition. Felix’s father, Matt, and his grandfather, Brian, were there to sample his cooking and Brian said, ”It’s absolutely amazing, I didn’t know he could cook like that. I’ll be visiting Felix more often now!” Competition runner up in a very close contest, Polly Coxeter, was also there her parents, Mark and Wendy, to try out the meal that just pipped her to the post. Polly thought Felix was a good cook, “I enjoyed his meal”. Felix says he has no ambition to take up cooking as a job, “I don’t know what I want to do for a career yet; I enjoy cooking as a hobby but I don’t want to do it as a job. I was very happy winning the competition; I wasn’t expecting it so I was quite overwhelmed. It was a great experience for me and I am looking forward to the challenge of cooking in the next round but I know the competition will be tough.”

Felix and Polly both received their certificates from President Dave Miles and the competition organiser, Chris Folley.  The part that Robertsbrige Community College played was also recognised with the presentation of a cookery book to Fiona Budd, the domestic science teacher, for the college library. Chris said, “It’s peculiar to Senlac Rotary to invite the winner to prepare their winning menu as a dinner for the club members and guests. It was a great contest this year and well done to all who took part in it. It’s not just going into the kitchen; it needs much preparation and thought.” Continuing Chris said, “Young Chef of the Year is not the only event where Rotary support youth. We support young musicians, youth speakers, writers, and photographers amongst others; Rotary also runs a Youth Leadership Award scheme. We’d love to hear about anyone who might benefit and who we could support.”
The next round, the District round will be held in Orpington on 26th January.