Talented Taban is 2015 Young Chef of the Year

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Local youngsters compete for title by cooking against clock

Talented young chefs from Hammersmith and Fulham and West London have cooked against the clock to compete for the coveted prize of Young Chef of the Year 2015.

Taban Roosta of Holland Park School took the title with her expertly-cooked menu of chicken roulade stuffed with fresh tarragon and pork sausage with rocket and a balsamic reduction, followed by tonka beans panna cotta with orange cake and cherry coulis.

The ten runners-up, who also all produced top quality meals, were:
Tyrenne Hawkins of The Bridge AP Academy.
Salsabeel Montague of Fulham Cross Girls’ School
Isabella Vranic of Godolphin & Latymer School
Jack Fernandes and Brandon Da Silva of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
Reece Clarke and Jack Bannister of Holland Park School
Rianna Aniaker- Griffiths and Luca Carozzi of The Moat School
Heidi Clark of Woodlane School

All the competitors put in hours of practice and competed at their own schools for a place in the finals.

The final took place at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College’s training restaurant with a judging panel consisting of by local star chefs Danny Bohan of the River Café, Anna Lotito of Mamma Anna & Co and Gerrard Madden of Fulham Football Club. All said that every finalist cooked top quality, restaurant-standard food.

Gerrard Madden of Fulham Football Club said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the day and am amazed at the high standards. Just to be in the kitchen and see what they were doing, not just the cooking but the engagement, was fantastic.”

Anna Lotito, of Mamma Anna & Co, added: “It was such a pity only one student had to win as everyone was at an outstanding level. The presentation, flavour and cooking skills using meat and fish is not something to be taken for granted. They were focused, precise – and very polite!”

Hammersmith & Fulham Mayor Mercy Umeh awarded all the finalists a trophy, a Westfield London gift card and a River Café cookbook. She said: “My congratulations to all the students. The hard work they put in to reach such an excellent standard really paid off. They are all stars. I am delighted that food technology is becoming part of the core curriculum and hope it leads to more top chefs from West London."


Louisa Burlumi, Food & Beverage Manager at Westfield London, said, “This is the fourth year we have supported this event and we are delighted to engage with young people with an interest in the catering industry. There are over 65 food outlets at Westfield London serving several thousand visitors daily so food and hospitality is a very important to us.”
Young people interested in a career in hospitality and catering have a range of courses to choose from at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College. Leading chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey, Brian Turner and Mark Hix have come in to work with the students.

The college has its own 120-seat training restaurant and its kitchens have been used for popular food television programmes such as Jamie’s Kitchen, Hell’s Kitchen and 4 Go Dating.

You can see more picture of the Young Chefs at work on the Flickr Gallery.

 

March 6, 2015