It was victory for the second time of asking for Ulverston Victoria High School pupil Ewan Pearce who won the Northern Region of The Rotary Clubs’ Young Chef Competition at Leeds City College last weekend.
Ewan, aged 14 was runner-up in the preceding District round and needed to up his game if he was to win. Having taken the advice of judge Richard Booth, Head Chef at Lakeside Hotel, Ewan tweeked his menu with a starter Steamed Sea Bass with pickled apple scales and sauce verge; main, Chicken mouse tortellini with a lemon beurre blanc and desert of Chocolate Souffle with Chantilly cream and hazelnut crunch.
The nine regional finalists had overcome an initial entry of over 700 competitors. Judge Fabrice Teston, Head of Travel Food and Drink at Leeds City College, commended all the finalists stating that they were all winners adding ‘ The standard shown today was equal to, if not better than, that produced by the full time students at the College’. Restaurateur judge Bill Smith said at the age of 73 he was still passionate about cooking and that each competitor had shown that passion with their cooking. He hoped many would go on to have a successful career in the catering industry. Third judge Oli Martin of Hipping Hall, Lancashire also added his words of praise.
Ewan has had a week work experience at The Moon Restaurant, Kendal and has secured a part time post at Lakeside Hotel.
