Teen chef poaches second place for a spot in regional finals

Monday 13 March 2023

Jersey's local winner of the Rotary Young Chef competition impressed the judges at Hampshire's district finals this weekend with her Jersey-inspired menu, setting her 'on course' for the regional finals in two weeks' time.

Scarlett Crow, a Year 10 pupil at Jersey College for Girls, triumphed over students from Les Quennevais and Grainville schools at the local round in February.

But now she has proved her culinary talents against students from Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire, where she scooped second place and progresses to the regional finals.

In the three courses that Scarlett whipped up for the judges, she used Island ingredients, including Jersey scallops in the starter and Jersey Chantilly cream in the dessert.

Rotarian Bob Marshall, who organises the local competition rounds, said: "It was very close between Scarlett and the winner. She was particularly complimented on her dessert, which she had made some tweaks to after working with Will Holland at the Atlantic Hotel. The judges were very impressed with it."

Pictured: Rotary President Richard Romeril presented Scarlett with the overall winner's trophy in the local round (John Reed).

The Rotary Young Chef Competition returned this year after a three-year hiatus due to covid.

In the national competition, organised by the Rotary Club of Great Britain, students aged between 13 and 14 years of age are given two hours to prepare a healthy three course meal for no more than £22.

Antoinette De Louche, Head of Food & Nutrition Studies at JCG and Scarlett's form tutor, said: "The Rotary Young Chef competition is a wonderful initiative for young people to develop their culinary skills and creativity. They can learn from the experienced chef judges, and other participants, and apply their new knowledge to improve their cooking abilities.

"Learning to prepare a healthy three course meal on a budget is also a valuable skill, which will stand students in good stead in later life."

Bob Marshall also explained that Jersey students have had much success in recent years. 

On three occasions, local students have reached the regionals. In 2018, Sophie Robinson won her regional heat which saw her flambéing in the national final as one of the top eight out of over five-and-half-thousand initial entrants.

If Scarlett wins her regionals South-West round, which also takes place in Hampshire, then she too will reach the final eight.