A schoolgirl from Guernsey has won a tight regional heat in a national competition for young chefs.

Ladies’ College student Samantha, (15), won the Southampton district heat of the Rotary Young Chef contest, with a menu that included fish caught in Guernsey.

Her pan-fried bream with leek-infused mash, crispy parsnips, carrots, and a homemade fish sauce was followed by rhubarb and apple crumble with a golden oatmeal topping and homemade custard.

The judges praised her attention to detail, presentation skills, time keeping and the tastiness of her dishes. 

Carla Bauer, President of the Rotary Club of Guernsey, said Samantha’s win was “a delight and a surprise”.

A white table is set for a formal meal with two plated dishes. In the foreground is a large white plate holding a cooked fish fillet garnished with herbs, served alongside shredded vegetables including carrots and cabbage. Behind it is a deep white bowl containing a grain-based dish topped with small round pieces of food. The table includes folded white napkins, cutlery, empty glasses, a small pot of green sauce, a jug, salt and pepper shakers, and a vase of colourful flowers. A decorative printed menu stands upright at the back of the table.
Samantha prepared pan-fried bream with leek-infused mash, crispy parsnips, carrots, and a homemade fish sauce, followed by rhubarb and apple crumble with a golden oatmeal topping and homemade custard. (Rotary Club of Guernsey)

She added: “Her tasty dishes were very worthy of her success and she truly deserved the high recognition.

“It was a great win for Guernsey, we now wish her all the best in the next stage of the competition.”

Samantha will now go on to compete in the South of England heats, with the aim of bagging a spot in the national finals in April.

The ultimate winner will get a two-day trip to Tuscany, including cookery classes “to learn the secrets of regional Italian cooking”.