Young chefs of Brookmans Park turn up the heat in national cooking competition

Aspiring young chefs from Chancellor’s School have been shortlisted to cook in the final of a national competition judged by celebrity chef Lesley Waters.

The eight future Bourdains and Nigellas will take part in a cook-off in the Teflon Diamond Standard Awards on January 24 at the Waitrose Cookery School London, for a chance to win a prestigious chefs’ scholarship with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Pupils Kendra Addy, Grisha Chirayath, Neeve Dunsmuir, Milly Lloyd, Evie Lovett and Scarlett Reid are finalists in the Keen Young Cooks category for 12 to 16-year-olds, while Yasmin Bedford and Precious Onyeiwe have reached the final of the Aspiring Student Chef category for 16 to 18-year-olds.

On the pupils’ menu in the Masterchef-style competition are dishes such as a beetroot, shallot, and goats cheese tarte tatin; quail with parsnip puree, blackberry jus and savoy cabbage with pancetta; and spiced pheasant with roast pepper pappardelle.

Head judge Lesley Waters said: “I shall be looking for the right attitude and passion for their subject.

“Originality and basic skills are essential along with determination and flair.”