Cook-off champions crowned
(L-R) Cook-off organiser James Myles with 2018 winners Joshua McLean and Diandra Thompson, and trainer Chef Sierra
(CNS Local Life): John Gray High School students Joshua McLean and Diandra Thompson cooked up a storm to win the 2018 National Youth Cook-Off final at the Agricultural Show on Wednesday, 14 February. The 14-year-old amateur chefs from George Town impressed judges with their pan-seared snapper fillets accompanied by a mango salsa and a medley of decorative vegetables.
The winners, who trained with Chef Sierra from The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, were announced in front of a packed culinary arena at the Stacey Watler Pavilion in Lower Valley, stated a government press release.
Two-time North Side champions Mohyndra Brown and Amber McLaughlin, coached by Chef Dodd, also from The Ritz-Carlton, came second. Last year’s winner Bradley McLaughlin and fellow Proud of Them honouree Ayanna Davis-Eden placed third, supported by Chef Lloyd from the Wyndham Reef Resort.
In addition, one of the sponsors of the National Youth Culinary Programme, The New Self-Help Community Foundation, presented $100 to the finalists and pledged to offer culinary lectures in schools in partnership with the programme and the Cayman Culinary Society. It is hoped that the lectures will motivate more youngsters to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
The cook-off final was preceded by a graduation for the students of the culinary programme, which also was named December Classroom of the Month. A Cayman First representative gave a $500 cheque to the programme and gift packs to the graduates. The cash donation will be used to purchase a knife set for the 2018 cook-off champions, with the remainder to help with the August trip to Barbados for the Caribbean Junior Culinary Conference and Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge.
