Bournemouth student wins third position at National Junior Chef contest

Bournemouth student Ben Mariner competed against five other junior chefs from around the country to gain joint third position at the National Junior Chef 2009 competition held at Thanet College.

The contest, which is sponsored by P&O Ferries, and judged by a panel of well known chefs including TV chef Gary Rhodes, saw Mariner and the other finalists prepare and cook a two course meal during a timed 'cook-off' where after three hours they presented the judges with their creations.

Mariner, 15 years old, has successfully completed the first and second tier of the Bournemouth and Poole College's Junior Chef's Academy programme and has also been doing work experience at Patrick's Restaurant and Bar in Ashley Cross since last September.

Liz Farrow, chef lecturer on the Junior Chefs' Academy, said: "The standard of cooking was extremely high, so the judging was really close. Ben should be really proud of himself and how far he got in the competition. To be in a competition like this at a young age is great experience and should prepare him well for the future in this industry."

The menu consisted of pan fried seabass with a bulgur wheat and courgette parcel with turned vegetables and saffron sauce followed by a dessert of gateau pithivier with crème anglaise.

The Junior Chefs' Academy is a programme sponsored by Compass, The craft Guild of Chefs and Russums, and run by The Bournemouth and Poole College. The aim of the programme is to encourage 13-16 year olds to develop awareness of the hospitality and catering industry, and of preparing and cooking various commodities from the main food groups.

Words: Maria Bracken

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