Beaconhurst pupils cook up a storm in baking contest !
Talented chef Tara Mathewson proved she had the recipe for success when she scooped top prize in Beaconhurst School’s Great Scottish Bake Off. Seven-year-old Tara, was named `Beaconhurst Baker of the Year 2013’ in the annual contest which puts youngsters’ cookery skills to the test.
The judges awarded Tara first place for her dishes of Quiche Lorraine and Chocolate Melting Pots in a close-run final. The other finalists, Bruce Dickson, 10 and 12-year-old Martine dos Reis, came in just two points behind Tara and were awarded joint second place. All three pupils were presented with chef’s whites embroidered with their names and engraved glass trophies at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony.
Tara says: “It was hard work cooking the two dishes at the same time but I enjoyed it and was surprised and delighted when I won. It was great to be able to take the food home to give my mum and dad for their tea and they really liked them especially the chocolate pots! My mum was so pleased she was in tears and I couldn’t stop smiling.
I feel more confident about making things now and I’m definitely going to do more cooking in the future.”
The competition was organised by Beaconhurst’s Catering Manager Marie Brunton, of award- winning catering firm Sodexo, and was open to all members of the weekly after-school Cooking Club she runs. A total of 30 pupils from J3 to S4 entered and took part in several heats where they had to demonstrate different baking skills. Six youngsters were chosen for the semi-final with the top three competitors going through to the final where they had to bake a savoury and a sweet dish, one involving pastry, in an hour and a half.
They were watched closely by four judges – Mrs Brunton, school head chef Andy McDougall, school Catering General Manager Benjamin Bel and David Ward, head chef at Stirling University – who studied their technique, cleanliness and presentation. And when the 90 minutes was up, they tasted the finished products which included a honey and granola cheesecake from Bruce and a rice crispie cake from Martine.
Mrs Brunton says: “It was a close competition and all the entrants should be proud of themselves. Tara did really well and just had the edge over Bruce and Martine thanks to her calm technique and the way she thought everything through in advance. “
Mrs Brunton will continue her cookery classes next term and plans to hold another competition next year. She says: “The Club is a good chance for children to develop a useful life skill as well as learning about healthy eating and having fun.
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