NINE students from The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water took part in the first round of the Rotary Young Chef Competition for 2018/19 on November 17, with Katy Smee emerging as the winner.

This is the ninth year that North Cotswolds Rotary Club has organised this competition at The Cotswold School, and it was the unanimous opinion of the judges and Rotarian helpers that standards this year have never been higher.

Budding chefs Celia Dawent, Izzy Dewar, Isla Mackintosh, Harry Marsden, Lottie Oliver, Millie Phipp, Katy Smee, Elsa Thwaites and Sophia Torria were tasked with preparing and serving up a meal for two people in two hours, with ingredients costing no more than £20.

Marks were awarded for planning, costing, healthy choice of dishes, range of skills used, hygiene and neatness of working, table presentation, meals served at the correct temperature, and taste and presentation of the starter, main course, and dessert.

The judges included Rotarian Peter Boxall, whose whole career has been in the hotel and catering trade,Teri Collett who runs her own catering business, and Hattie Price, a Year 11 student at The Cotswold School and a National Finalist in the Rotary Young Chef Competition 2017/18.

After tasting and marking a total of 27 dishes, judges chose Katy Smee as the winner, with Izzy Dewar as runner up, and Harry Marsden Highly Commended.

All contestants were singled out for praise by the judges for one or more of their dishes.

Bob Hadley, who organised the competition on behalf of North Cotswolds Rotary Club, said: “This year the standards have been amazingly high,”

He wished Katy Smee the best of luck in the next round of the competition, the District semi-final, which will take place early in the New Year.