cumbria young chef competition

Rory  is “delighted” to be judging the final of the ‘Leading Hotels of Cumbria Young Chef Competition’ at Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen on 4th February. Local schoolgirls Fiona Lambert and Bethany Woof, both from Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, are preparing to go head to head in the final stage of the competition, hosted and sponsored by Simon and Wendy Bennett of Augill Castle. The aim of the event is to help raise aspirations and awareness of training and career opportunities in the food industry, whilst inspiring and
engaging talented young people to retain their skills in Cumbria.

Fiona and Bethany have already completed four rigorous rounds of testing, competing against other Year 9/10 pupils (14/15 year olds) from the three schools involved – Appleby Grammar School, Kirkby
Stephen Grammar School and Ullswater Community College.

Rory said: “I am very much looking forward to judging this event. It is fantastic to see so many talented and enthusiastic individuals from our region taking up this important opportunity, and to see local businesspeople taking the initiative in highlighting the importance of apprenticeships in the hospitality industry, which is the backbone of our tourism industry. Fiona and Bethany should feel very proud of themselves for getting this far, and I am looking forward to sampling their cooking, and the
exciting results.”

For the final heat the girls will be cooking a three course meal of their choice for four people with a budget of £20. Families and friends will also be able to attend. The final competition winner will land the title of ‘The Leading Hotels of Cumbria Young Chef 2012’, along with a summer placement at the multi-award winning Gilpin Lodge Hotel, a full set of chef’s whites and a competition trophy.

Both Fiona and Bethany will receive a goody bag and a full set of chef’s knives for their excellent culinary efforts.

Cumbria Tourism Chairman Eric Robson, one of the competition’s judges, said: “The girls have done a fantastic job and I hope they have enjoyed themselves – the judges certainly have enjoyed sampling their
efforts! I hope this experience inspires other young people to get involved in next year’s competition.”

The competition is sponsored by six award-winning Cumbrian hotels, all of which are passionate about what they do: Augill Castle (lead sponsors), based near Kirkby Stephen, The Cottage in the Wood near Keswick, Gilpin Lodge in Windermere, Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel in Alston, Overwater Hall near Ireby and Temple Sowerby Country House Hotel near Penrith.

Wendy Bennett, lead sponsor of the competition from Augill Castle said: “Although only in its first year, the competition has been a real success and it’s been great fun to be a part of it. We hope this experience will encourage all participants to consider careers in some of Cumbria’s best kitchens.”

Next year’s Leading Hotels of Cumbria Young Chef Competition is due to kick off very soon and it is hoped will be extended to South Lakeland Schools.