Junior Masterchef kicks off first Reepham Food Festival

Students at Reepham High School have taken part in a Junior Masterchef competition as part of the first Reepham Food Festival.
 

Contestants and judges in the Junior Masterchef competition as part of the first Reepham Food Festival

 
They were required to develop recipe ideas for two courses to be produced from local ingredients for less than £15. The competition was organised by Angela Gibbs, head of food and catering at the high school.
 
The winner, Liz Gillet, will receive £100 and the opportunity for a hands-on kitchen experience at the Dial House in Reepham; runners-up will receive £50 and £25.
 
Prizes are being donated by Norse Catering, which is sponsoring all the educational aspects of the Festival.
 
In addition, Reepham & District Rotary Club presented all finalists with a copy of the new Norfolk Cook Book produced by Norfolk Food & Drink.
 
The ten finalists produced their meals on 12 May under the watchful eye of judges Terrance Isaac-Griffiths, commercial director of Norse Catering, and Norse development chef, Gary Dyos.
 
The Reepham Food Festival will be held on Sunday 28 May in the Market Place. The Junior Masterchef winners will be presented with their prizes during the Festival, which will screen a video of the competition.
 
Mr Isaac-Griffiths explained what attracted Norse to the Reepham Festival: “High-quality, local ingredients are an important part of what we offer in all of our primary and secondary schools, care homes, colleges and staff restaurants. We are delighted to sponsor schools involved in a celebration of local food.
 
“As long-term supporters of Norfolk Food & Drink, my Norse Catering colleagues and I love to get involved in events that celebrate local food and creative cooking, so being a judge for Junior Masterchef at Reepham High School was a fantastic experience.
 
“I was genuinely blown away by the talent demonstrated by the students taking part. What struck me most, particularly as a father, was how an interest in food and cooking can integrate into the lives of young people and develop in to a life-long passion with fresh, innovative plates of food.”
 
Organised by Reepham & District Rotary Club the Reepham Food Festival features special meals, cookery demonstrations and more than 30 stalls from local food producers, along with activities at the primary and high schools. More details are at www.reephamfoodfestival.org.uk
 
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Ten competitors hard at work in the Junior Masterchef competition at Reepham High School

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