Beaconhurst Head Chef Andy McDougall, Emma Keith, winner Sam Hyde, Jake Gourlay and school Catering Manager Marie Brunton.
Talented Sam Hyde showed off his master chef skills when he scooped top prize in Beaconhurst School’s Cook Club Contest. Nine-year-old Sam, from Dunblane, proved he had the right recipe for success when he was named `Beaconhurst Chef of the Year 2015’.
The judges awarded him first place for a delicious meal of Mediterranean chicken roulade followed by chocolate cake in the final of the annual competition which puts youngsters’ cookery skills to the test. The other finalists were 12-year-old Jake Gourlay, from Dunblane, and Emma Keith, 9, from Tullibody, who were awarded joint second place. All three pupils were presented with engraved glass trophies at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony.
Sam says: “I really like Cook Club, it’s good fun and I also do some cooking at home. I was really pleased to come first in the competition and I’m going to try and keep it up and help my mum in the kitchen.”
The competition was organised by Beaconhurst’s Catering Manager Marie Brunton, of catering firm Sodexo, and was open to all members of her weekly after- school Cook Club. This year, pupils were taught how to go `back to basics’ and make a variety of dishes including pastry and sauces during sessions.
Mrs Brunton said: “Sam’s chicken roulade was stuffed with basil leaves, tomatoes and dolcelatte cheese wrapped in pancetta and was really lovely. His chocolate cake was also
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very tasty and we were impressed with how well organised he was and how he cooked everything from scratch despite choosing quite a difficult dish with the roulade.”
Sam’s proud mum Kirstine Hyde says the classes have been a boost to the youngster’s confidence. “He loves baking and cooking and the classes have definitely given him more self-confidence and the chance to shine.”
More than 20 pupils entered the competition taking part in heats before seven youngsters were chosen for the semi-final where they had to bake and decorate a Victoria Sponge. The top three competitors then went through to the final where they were challenged to cook a two-course meal in two hours.
During the final, they were watched closely by five judges including last year’s runner up 11-year-old Jessica Lifson. Jessica joined Mrs Brunton, school head chef Andy McDougall and Sodexo executives David Ward and Maggie Trotter to study the technique, cleanliness and presentation of competitors. At the end, they tasted all the finished products including Emma’s homemade burger with dip and fries followed by cheesecake and Jake’s prawn linguini and lemon mousse.
Mrs Brunton says: “They were all winners as far as I’m concerned and it’s amazing how well these young pupils can cook. Sam just had the edge thanks to the consistency he has shown throughout Cook Club and the confidence he demonstrated in cooking his dishes which were just fantastic.”
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