Young cooks step up to the plate in contest

THEY’RE the cream of the crop.

Five youngsters yesterday served up a culinary display that belied their tender years.

When the heat of the kitchen cooled, Darren Wallace was declared the winner. Today, he returns to Abbeyleix national school, Co Laois, as Tesco Young Cook of the Year.

Representing Leinster, Darren scooped first prize of a weekend cookery course. As part of the prize, his school gets a computer.

Yesterday they gathered for the grand final at St Catherine’s College, Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Watched by a four-woman judging panel, the competitors had to devise a two-course menu using original recipes - including ingredients costing no more than €25 and available from Tesco.

“The standards throughout this competition have been impressive,” said judge Biddy White Lennon of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild.

“All small children have a natural instinct to cook and this competition builds on that interest,” she said.

Tesco Ireland marketing manager Ken Murray said: “Our aim is to encourage young people to learn the art of cooking and using fresh produce.

“It’s something we are committed to and is part of the ongoing Tesco campaign to nurture a passion for good food from grower to producer to chef,” he said.

Danielle Proctor represented Connacht in the grand final. The other contestants were Ellen Finn (Munster), Niall Rush (Dublin) and Sarah McCabe (Ulster).