Talented young chef Alexandra King from Lurgan College wowed judges with her culinary skills at the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland 2015 Young Cook of the Year by cooking a first class meal inspired by local produce and aimed at tempting the taste buds of visitors coming to Northern Ireland.
Competing against the clock in a live cook off at Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College, Alexandra was awarded the prestigious ‘Young Cook of the Year’ title which judges deemed to be of a professional chef’s standard. The budding chef impressed the judging panel with her cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.
The Young Cook of the Year competition, based on the theme of tourism, has been developed in consultation with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland (CCEA), and has grown year on year encouraging young people to get involved in cooking.
Dr Mike Johnston, CEO Dairy Council for Northern Ireland said,
“The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has been leading the way in helping young people develop essential cooking skills that will combine an understanding of good nutrition in particular incorporating dairy products into a healthy and balanced diet. The standards, abilities and skills displayed by these young people is inspirational and we’re hugely impressed by the calibre of all of this year’s entries, particularly our winner Alexandra for the skill she has shown in creating a dish that combines great taste with good nutrition.
“Congratulations to all of our hard working, committed finalists. It really is very rewarding to see the quality of work by pupils improve year on year and the talent we see as a result of the Young Cook of the Year competition is remarkable.”
Winner Alexandra King was presented with gift vouchers for £200 and the school received £850 for school funds. Her teacher also received a voucher for the Belfast School of Cookery.
Click here to see photographs from the day.