A local heat of this year’s competition run in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden proved to be extremely popular:  the Clubs were very pleased to receive 21 entries for the cooking stage held on 16th January at Chesham Park Community College, Chesham, all of which were considered to be of a very high standard.

Chief Judge Chef Adam Whitlock, of Gilbey’s Restaurant, Old Amersham helped to select the six contestants to cook the dishes: Laurel Turton and Rebecca Lewts of the Misbourne School, Jamie Hollander of Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School, and Beth Chater, Jenna Reid and Ruby Stewart-Liberty from Dr. Challoner’s High School.

The overall winner was Ruby Stewart-Liberty whose dishes; Harissa Marinated Chicken with red grapefruit salad and brown rice, accompanied by a dessert of Strawberry Fool with French Madeleine’s and summer berries were chosen for content, appearance and table presentation.   Ruby will now proceed to the District round of the competition, which will be held in Aylesbury on Saturday February 27th.