Young Chef District Final

A YOUNG chef has been chosen to represent the Casterbridge Rotary Club in a competition.

Nikolas Jones had stiff competition from fellow Year 11 pupils at Thomas Hardye School in the local heat of the 2016-17 Rotary GB&I Young Chef competition.

But his two-course menu of Pan-seared Lyme Bay scallops on squid ink risotto with smoked salmon foam and fennel cress followed by Dorset prime-cut venison with Jerusalem Artichoke puree, Spetzle, buttered kale and a blackberry sauce won the judges over.

Nikolas and fellow chefs Hannah Breakwell, Emma Challoner, Hannah Rea, Jonathan Samways and Jess Stacey slaved for two hours over a hot stove.

Mark Vaughan of Vaughans Bistro and Katie Platt, a Thomas Hardye pupil and last year's Casterbridge Young Chef who came third in the national competition, judged the event, which took place on Monday, November 7 at the food technology department at Thomas Hardye School.

President Chris presented all the competitors with certificates and Nikolas was also presented with a winner’s salver and certificate to mark his achievement.

Nikolas will be mentored in the competition by a local professional chef and he will now go forward to the regional final on Saturday, February 4, when he will cook a three-course meal and also be judged on table presentation, method of working and his menu on the table.