Student Chef Competition 2024

Main picture: Ganesh Rana and Liam Broome (Winners)
Second picture:  Erin East and Lyssa Alfonso (Runners-up)
Third picture:  Holly Towns and Fletcher Brown (Third place)

Rotarians Steve Davison and Chris Ockwell have organised and judged this annual Student Chef competition at Swindon’s New College for our Rotary Club for a good number of  years.   This year, on the actual day, Steve was away on holiday so Rotarian Kathy Hobson was one of the judges in his place.

Thirty-two students took part in the competition working in pairs to produce a three-course meal.

The judging panel is a team of four: the two Rotarians and two professional chefs.  Unfortunately, at the last minute, one of the professionals was unable to come and our Club President, Ann Debureaux-Dias, took his place.  Forty-eight mouthfuls later the scores were added up and the judges were ready to announce the winners.

All four judges were very impressed with the standard of cookery and said they considered all the competitors as winners. This was relayed to the students when President Ann presented the prizes, chef’s knives, donated by our Club.

New College said for the students this Competition is a highlight of the year and they look forward to taking part.

The 13th Rotary Student Chef Competition was held at the Catering Department of Swindon College at North Star Avenue on Thursday 28th March 2024.

The overall aim of the Competition is to motivate and encourage young chefs in their chosen career.  It provides them with the valuable experience of having to cook under time constraints and how to present their dishes.  The students create their own menus within the given terms and are judged by people other than the tutors.