Young Ardnamurchan chef cooks her way to 1st place in Rotary Young Chef District Final

Ardnamurchan High School first year pupil, Helen Jones, from Lochaline has taken first place in the Rotary Young Chef District final in East Kilbride.

The district final took place last Wednesday (5 February 2020) and Helen kept her nerves in check to produce an amazing three-course meal for two people in two hours.

Helen cooked Smoked Mackerel Cannelloni with a Beetroot and Horseradish Remoulade and Sauce Vierge followed by Braised Chicken with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Savoy Cabbage and Bacon with Roast Baby Onion Jus.  Her dessert was a Pear Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Ice Cream and Tuile Biscuit.

Patricia Kennedy, who has guided a significant number of pupils from Ardnamurchan High School to success with the Young Chef competitions over many years, accompanied Helen and Donald Young of Lochaber Rotary Club to the District Final. 

She said: "We couldn't have done it without the help and mentoring from Gary Phillips , Head Chef at Kilcamb Lodge, Strontian who set the menu, provided the recipes, and mentored Helen.”   A big thanks go also to Helen's parents for their support and to Donald Young of Lochaber Rotary Club for organising the competition and supporting us in East Kilbride."

Helen now goes forward to the Scottish and North of England regional final in Stirling on 7 March.