Nine young would-be MasterChefs battled out for a place in the first finals of the Great Schools' Cook Off at Exeter College this week with Ruth Maddicks, 14 from Uffculme and Bethany Baines, 14, from St James School, Exeter celebrating as worthy winners through to the challenging final.

The young contestants, drawn from schools from Exeter and across Devon, were fighting for the unique opportunity to show off their culinary skills in the Cook Off final that will be live in front of the packed crowds of food enthusiasts expected at Exeter's South West Food and Drink Festival after Easter.

Tasty treats created by the committed young chefs at the challenging competition held in the training kitchen at the college included pigeon wellington, cider pork, seafood tagliatelle and spicy smoked fishcake with Ruth's choice of chicken stuffed with goats cheese and mushroom with lemon and mascarpone tart and Bethany's rack of lamb and chocolate fondant taking top spots.

The competition, organised by the 14-16 department at Exeter College as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of Exeter's South West Food and Drink Festival and sponsored by Stagecoach, originated from an idea with Michael Caines, one of the Festival's founders, governor at the college and founder and mentor for the college's elite hospitality training academy – Michael Caines Academy.

“Working in partnership with the schools we devised this challenge to show the public that flock to the Food Festival each year the massive talent we have in the county for the high standard of catering and hospitality in our young people.” said Rob Bosworth, Assistant Principal Exeter College, “We are very proud of the achievements of all the catering and hospitality students that join the college, and we felt it was important to celebrate the talent of even younger students in the schools in the area. And what a competition!”

The young pupils, all of whom had already won heats in their separate schools, were challenged to prepare and cook a two course meal not costing more than £7.50 in 90 minutes with the criteria of good organisation and management, good food hygiene and health and safety management, cooking and presentation skills and minimal waste of ingredients being judged by the college's top lecturer chefs.

Proud winner Ruth Maddicks said “Being put through to the final was a privilege and I am very honoured I was chosen to take part in such a good experience. Using a commercial kitchen was definitely daunting, but it was interesting to see and use the facilities. I am excited and nervous about cooking at the food festival, but am definitely looking forward to it! Thank you for letting me have the experience, I very much enjoyed it.”

The winners of this weeks competition will now be gearing up for a head to head battle in the professional cookery theatre on the first day of the Exeter Food Festival where they will be judged by Michael Caines himself as well as guests from Stagecoach in a pressurised performance that mirrors the popular TV Cook Off series. Watched by all the semi finalists who will be congratulated by the Michelin starred chef and Food Festival VIPs, the competition is just one of the new features of the Food Festival this year marking its 10th Anniversary showcasing the regions' top food and drink producers.

Bethany Baines is looking forward to the final saying, “I have really enjoyed the experience and I am really excited to be working with MIchael Caines. It was thrilling to work in a real kitchen environment. I have always wanted a job in the catering industry and this experience has encouraged me further to pursue this as a career.”

Derek Phillips, Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink chairman said “The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink is pleased to be involved with the Great Schools' Cook Off competition. Not only does it encourage more children to cook, but this competition also makes the students aware of some of the great food and drink our region has produced. We know how enthusiastic everyone involved has been and how much hard work they have all put into creating some really interesting dishes. It was a very close competition, so we'd like to thank everyone who took part and urge supporters to come along on Friday 26th April to cheer the finalists on!”

Contestants:
Lauren Penney – St Peters
Megan Humpfries – St Lukes
Bethany Baines – St James
Tommy Law – West Exe
Georgina Babbage – Exmouth Community College
Archie Jenkins – The Kings School, Ottery St Mary
Ruth Maddicks – Uffculme
Megan McCarron – Cullompton
Brianey Skinner – Southbrook