The FutureChef Competition allows pupils to learn about practical cookery and enhance their culinary skills along with building knowledge and helping them grow in confidence in the kitchen. It is a 4 staged cooking competition with School, Local, Regional and National Final heats but only space for one student to be crowned FutureChef Champion 2023!
After their success in the school heat in June 2022, Cassie McAleavey (Year 10) and Rebekah McMullan (Year 12) were entered into the Local final. They worked alongside past pupil Steven Megaw (chef in Loft 56/lecturer at SRC) to create a main course dish for 2 people with a budget of only £5. They had one hour to prepare, cook and serve their dishes.
On Friday 25th November 2022, we headed to Newry SRC where the girls competed. Both girls produced fantastic dishes despite the competition pressures.
Judges included Darragh Dooley (Executive chef from Killeavy Castle), Colleen Lennon (Chef/owner of The Oliver Bar and Restaurant) and Geoff Baird (Executive development chef, Henderson Food Service)
What a result!! Cassie was placed first; with Rebekah following a close second.
I would like to publicly congratulate Rebekah who produced an amazing dish and should be so proud of her efforts in the competition. (Great practice for her GCSE Food and Nutrition practical exam later this month!!)
Cassie then progressed through to the regional final of the competition and as a result was allocated a mentor chef - Darragh Dooley from Killeavy Castle Estate. Her task was to prepare, cook, and serve a hot main course and a hot/cold dessert for two people within 90 minutes and costing no more than £10. She worked closely with Darragh to perfect a menu:
Longhorn Beef Carpaccio, Violette Mustard, tarragon red wine cream
Baked Armagh Apple in caramel, Neary Nogs Chocolate Sauce, Chantilly Cream, Roast Hazlenuts.
I would like to place on record my thanks to Darragh for all his work in preparing Cassie for the regional final. Working alongside one of the best chefs in the industry was invaluable and provided Cassie with much knowledge and expertise needed to compete in a competition of this level.
On Friday 13th January, 2023, Cassie along with 7 other Northern Ireland Finalists competed in the Regional finals at Belfast Met College, Titanic Quarter.
Guests from schools, colleges, industry partners and the Department of Education were able to watch the 8 talented students (aged 13-15) from the viewing gallery as they prepared their dishes. There was much talent on display and the judges had a huge job in deciding on the overall winner.
The judges included Sean Owens, Noel McMeel, Geoff Baird and last year’s Futurechef winner, Michael Thompson.
Unfortunately, there could only be one winner and it wasn’t to be for Cassie, however, we as a school are immensely proud of her achievement in this competition.
UTV recorded some of the action and this will be aired on Friday 20th January at 7pm.
