Charlie receiving 1st prize
As part of their GCSE assessment, nine Year 10 students at Ringwood School took part in a cookery project jointly run by the school and the Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust.
The project was launched in early November by James Golding executive chef of The Pig in Brockenhurst and Mary Reader, founder and president of the Christchurch Food and Wine Festival. James demonstrated two dishes from the current menu at The Pig, before tasking the students with designing a two course meal for teenagers costing no more than £14. The task was their first GCSE controlled assessment, which accounts for 10% of their overall GCSE mark.
Top: Charlie’s pan fried venison, with a blackberry sauce, crushed new potatoes, cabbage and pancetta. Below: Charlie’s apple pie with dried fruits and cinnamon
First prize was awarded to Charlie Karelus, who cooked pan fried venison, with a blackberry sauce, crushed new potatoes, cabbage and pancetta. James was particularly impressed by the wonderful flavours, and said that the venison was cooked perfectly. Charlie also made a delicious apple pie with dried fruits and cinnamon.
Second place was awarded to Sophie Carlton, who cooked a home-made vegetarian calzone, served with coleslaw and a bean salad. Mary commented on how wonderful it was to have a truly tasty vegetarian option. Sophie also made a chocolate and orange pavlova that was cooked to perfection according to James.
Kieran Baggs and Rachael Dodd were well deserved runners up. The students’ efforts were recognised and all those who took part were given a cookery book donated by the Education Trust, while the winners were awarded with a piece of useful kitchen equipment, and Charlie was invited to spend a morning with James at The Pig.
