Cooking Up a Storm!

Year 6 have been feeling the heat when competing in the D&T Junior Master Chef Competition. From 36 teams down to 7 semi-finalists the standard of food and presentation has again been excellent. From seared salmon, spiced chicken tikka, homemade pesto and chocolate lava cake, the range of dishes have really been exceptional this year. Pupils researched and developed their own menus before practising the individual courses. The teams then had to cook a main course and one other course for the competition.

We were very lucky to have Chef Christian Knerr – Executive Chef at the Ritz Carlton and Mrs Woods and Mr Mannings to help judge the Finals. The winning team (Grace Halliday, Fern Plunkett, Lottie Gosling and Hayley Warner and Ella Taylor) and runners up were thrilled to have a behind the scenes visit to the Ritz Carlton, Bahrain, and visit the different sections of the kitchen as their prize. The children were given a guided tour by Chef Cesar De Leon Torres (Chef De Cuisine of Cantina Kahlo) and Chef Fernando Rodrigues (Chef de Partie) including the main kitchen, room service area and many of the hotels’ varied restaurants. In particular, the children visited Nirvana, the award winning Indian restaurant and also sampled dishes at the new Mexican concept restaurant Cantina Kahlo. The children enjoyed delicious tacos and churros, a Mexican doughnut style dessert.

We are extremely grateful to the Ritz Carlton for supporting our Junior Master Chef competition and their generous hospitality. Everyone we met on our tour was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about cuisine and were delighted to share that with the children. In particular we would like to thank: Mr Christian Knerr, Mr Yann Bernard Lejard, Mr Cesar De Leon Torres and Mr Fernando Rodrigues.