Rotary’s 2026 Youth Competitions launched in style with the Young Chef event, supported by the Rotary Clubs of Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham and Blandford.
Held at Sturminster Newton High School on 22nd January, eight students from Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton competed to create a healthy two-course meal on a budget. Judgeswere Liz Bailey (Beautiful Buffets) and Cllr Barry von Clemens, both highly experienced chefs.
Sturminster Newton High School was represented by Phoebe Chick, Amber Barlow, Hannah Kilvington and Benjamin Thompson. From Shaftesbury High School came Harvey Woods, Kara Rudd, Matthew Cawley and Isaac Stone.
Two winners were selected: Benjamin Thompson (Sturminster) wowed with chicken curry and homemade ice cream, while Isaac Stone (Shaftesbury) impressed with garlic butter steak and apple crumble, describing his pudding as ‘evoking the cosy ambience of home’.
The judges commended all entrants for their skills – with Barry joking that one contestant’s pastry was better than his grandmother’s. Winners received certificates from Rotarian David Wynn Mackenzie and will progress to the Wessex District Final.
Thanks were given to the schools and judges for their support.
shaftesburyrotaryclub.org
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