Mastercook Competition 2022
1 July 2022
Ready, Set, Cook!
This year’s Mastercook Competition saw our budding chefs from Years 4-8 step up to the plate to show off their outstanding culinary skills.
With our Summer term being renamed ‘The Jubilee Term’, it seemed fitting to carry this theme through to the competition. Our boys were challenged with creating ‘Commonwealth-inspired’ dishes in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity brought to the Cooking and Nutrition room. The array of colours, the presentation and the delectable aromas that travelled through the school corridors were amazing.
Year 4 were outstanding during their cook-offs, showing marvelous manners and professionalism throughout. We saw excellent dishes coming out of the ovens, including an Australian ‘Kangaroo Burger’, Chicken Tikka with Spiced Rice and a Caribbean Prawn Curry. Our boys were fortunate enough to have a very special judge supporting the events and tasting their food, Mr Charlie Baxter, Co-Founder of Pluma restaurant in Old Amersham, very kindly visited and judged the competition. Congratulations to Nikhil J who placed 1st with his Salmon Curry with Parantha, 2nd place was awarded to Sebbie T with his Portokalopita dish (Greek Orange Pie) and 3rd place went to Nisaja who cooked Chicken Kottu.
The Middle School competition (Years 5 and 6) was a lovely sight to see, with a lot of our boys having taken part last year, they were ready and raring to go this year. Recipes at the ready and ovens pre-heating, they got to work with confidence and excitement. Using their knife and organisation skills learnt during their Cooking and Nutrition lessons this year, our boys looked like junior chef professionals! All our chefs cooked exceptional dishes, including Chilli Paneer, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Fennel Shortbread and a delicious Victoria Sponge Cake. A big thank you to Laurie Gear, Patron Chef at The Artichoke restaurant in Amersham, for attending and judging the competition. A huge congratulations to our winners: John R who took first place with his Trio of Mini Dishes of Tuna Sashimi, Cod Fritters and Jamaican Cake, 2nd place was awarded to Kishan P who cooked Keema Pav with Salted Lassi, and finally, 3rd place went to Kaden J with his wonderful Jerk Chicken and Mojito Mocktail recipe.
Finally, our Upper School competition was a wonder to watch, all our boys stayed cool, calm and collected during the competition and produced some impressive ‘restaurant quality’ dishes. Our boys have matured and perfected their cooking skills learnt during their cooking lessons. This really showed during the competition, making our Head of Cooking and Nutrition, Mrs Rowland, extremely proud. We were presented with dishes such as Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Passion Fruit Trifle and a Caramalised Banana Cake. Many congratulations to Daniel Z who came first with his New Zealand-inspired Rack Of Lamb and Caribbean Passion Fruit Trifle. 2nd place went to Arjun B who cooked Tandoori Chicken, and Edward SP was awarded 3rd place for his Prawn Cocktail starter and Vegetables and Bali Stew.
“To see such talent from a group of young men with such passion fills me with hope for our culinary industry. With their pride and skills in what they do I know great things will be accomplished.” said Charlie Baxter, Co-Founder of Pluma restaurant.
“As always it was such a pleasure to be part of the schools MasterCook competition, the standard of competence within these young boys is an inspiration, cooking is a life skill and these boys not only embraced this but pushed far beyond that of what you would expect from such young students. I am certain some have a spark within them ignited by this event” said Laurie Gear Chef Patron of the Michelin star restaurant in Old Amersham.
Well done to everyone involved and a huge thank you to Laurie Gear, Charlie Baxter and of course the amazing Cooking and Nutrition team for organising and running the event.
All the remarkable recipes feature in our brand new MasterCook 2022 Cookbook, so you can give the dishes at try at home. Click here to pre-order your copy. (Pre-order deadline Friday 29 July 2022)
