Teens compete to be the best young chefs in Newport
Posted on Tuesday 19th July 2016
A competitive semi-final of the popular Newport Teenchef competition, sponsored by the Celtic Manor, was held at Alway Community Centre.
Teams from St Julian's and Caerleon youth clubs were declared the winners, and they will take part in the Teenchef final during the Tiny Rebel Newport Food and Drink Festival on 1 October.
Underwood and Cefn Wood youth clubs were the runners-up in the semi-final, in which the teams of four had to create a dish for two people costing no more than £7.50.
St. Julian's, led by Cindy Yates, cooked a dish of cod with sauté potatoes and asparagus while Caerleon, led by Hannah Gregory, presented spaghetti a la prawn.
The event was judged by Peter Fuchs, culinary director of the Teenchef sponsors Celtic Manor ; Hywel Jones, patron of the food festival and executive chef at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa; Brad Cummings, of headline sponsor Tiny Rebel, as well as Councillor Gail Giles, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Young People and Councillor Roger Jeavons, Cabinet Member for Work and Skills.
Peter Fuchs said: "The standard of food produced by these young cooks was very impressive, especially considering the restraints of time and budget placed upon them. It made our jobs as judges very challenging.
"Congratulations to the winning teams from St Julian's and Caerleon and we look forward to seeing what they go on to produce in the final. The Celtic Manor Resort is proud to sponsor this competition which encourages young people to try out cooking and we hope it gives them the inspiration to carry on improving their skills in the kitchen."
Councillor Giles said: "It was wonderful to see so many young people getting involved in this competition and showing such a flair for cooking. I would like to congratulate all those who took part, especially the semi-finalists whose high standards made our job so difficult, and the youth service for their work in organising such a successful event."
Councillor Jeavons said: "I would like to thank the youth service once again for organising the competition which is such a popular part of the food festival every year and my fellow judges. Good luck to all the finalists for 1 October - I'm sure you will produce some culinary triumphs!"
Visit www.newportfoodfestival.co.uk for information on the sixth annual event which attracts thousands of people to city centre. This year's highlights include a wide variety of stalls selling tasty treats, chef demos as well as the final of the Celtic Manor Teenchef competition.