Budding young Masterchefs at Lawn Manor Academy were showered with praise by the judges when they took part in a competition to serve up some of the world’s tastiest dishes.
The Year 7 students were tasked by their head of year, Fiona Harper, to showcase their planning, cooking, and organisational skills in a Masterchef-style competition.
A total of 21 students participated in the challenge, each responsible for creating a main course with accompaniments and a dessert. To qualify for the competition, the 11 and 12-year-olds had to demonstrate their ability to cook the dishes independently, adhere to a budget, and complete preparation, cooking, serving, and cleanup within two hours and 45 minutes.
Under the guidance of Sarah Smith, Head of Design & Technology, the cookery challenge was conducted according to the school’s I LEARN principles, which puts independence, and attitude at the heart of how pupils learn and develop.
The pupils spent a frenzied morning whipping up dishes from various countries, including Portuguese custard tarts, Ukrainian fried cheesecake, Goan egg curry, and Romanian dumplings. Finally, the students’ dishes were evaluated by professional chef Ian Jefferies from New College’s North Star campus and Heidi Alexander, a South Swindon Labour parliamentary candidate who is also an alumna of the school.
Winner of the main course was Shanaika Soares, and Viktor Sliuzar won the dessert category. Runners up were Mara Marinescu and James Sales.
Heidi Alexander said it was a pleasure to return to the very same room where she once used to have cookery lessons, but added that the meals turned out by these pupils put her own schoolgirl attempts to shame.
“I remember putting an apple pastry in the oven in that room, and it completely exploded, sending apple everywhere,” she said.
“But every one of you has turned out the most amazing food, and it’s been really difficult to select the best of the best. I fully expect to see several of you on BBC Masterchef in the not-too-distant future!”
Year 7 leader Fiona Harper said the pupils really enjoyed the challenge, despite the high bar set in terms of planning, organization and keeping to cost and time restrictions.
“It takes incredible levels of creativity, self-discipline and organization to perform at the level our Year 7s did,” said Ms Harper.
“Most adults would struggle to perform anywhere near as well as they did, and they should be very proud of their achievements. Each of them could have a great future in the food industry, if they chose.”
