The grounds of a high school in Kyneton were filled with the tantalising aromas of Italian cuisine last week.
Year four students from six Catholic primary schools across the region competed in the grand final of the 2022 Sacred Heart College Junior Chef competition.
With one hour and 15 minutes to execute culinary excellence, primary pupils had to prepare a fresh fettucine with Napoli sauce and present their best plate to the judges.
The first round of the competition was held earlier in August at the College’s Frayne Hospitality Centre, where the pupils had to make a stack of three pancakes with a delicious mixed berry sauce in 45 minutes.
Sacred Heart College principal Dr Darren Egberts said it was a “great joy” to see the pupils back at the college for the cook-off.
“I was amazed at their skills in the kitchen and the teamwork demonstrated within each group of four students,” Dr Egberts said.
“A big thanks to the staff of the six Macedon Ranges Catholic Primary Schools who participated, and to the parents and families who attended on the evening.”
The Junior Chef competition is all about providing the year four kids with the chance to experience the high school environment, while building their cooking and teamwork skills.
It even benefits the students at the college too, who act as mentors to the primary pupils.
Local culinary identities, Diana Marsland from the Diana Marsland Cooking School, Donkey Kyneton’s Mark James and ExpertEats’ Jennifer Beachey took on the important role of judging the event.
SHC captain Sam Gordon was master of ceremonies.
St Mary’s from Castlemaine took home the gong, receiving a $250 gift nursery voucher to buy plants for their school’s kitchen garden. All competitors took home a gift of kitchen items from supporting local business, the Kitchen Shop Woodend.
