Kids’ diamond dinners make winning recipe
21 May 2012 15:53:17
Created in 1952, to commemorate the crowning of the Queen, Coronation Chicken may be tasty – but it’s had its day.
Local schoolchildren were asked to come up with something better by creating a recipe that would celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June and stand the test of time.
And three budding chefs did just that, scooping top prizes in the Council’s Design a Dish competition.
Winner was the aptly-named Ava Cook, 8, of Mauchline Primary School, with Crispy Diamond Jubilee Fishcakes. Ava designed her meal using fish from Scotland, cheese from England, leeks from Wales and potatoes from Ireland to represent all the countries of Great Britain.
First runner-up was New Farm Primary’s Rachel Brown, 9, and her Diamond Jubilee Venison Pie and second-runner up was Angus Busby, 12, Dunlop Primary School, with Dunlop Diamond Frittata.
Rules of the school meals competition were that the food had to look appealing, tasty and imaginative; the recipe, for four people, had to be supplied along with the cooking method and the dish had to be a main course.
Prize for the winner was £250 of cooking equipment for her school – and a fun cooking day at The Cook School Scotland for herself and 11 friends.
Two runners-up each received a day at The Cook School Scotland with five friends.
The finalists’ recipes are being produced in a set of recipe cards. To let other youngsters have a taste, Onsite Services will serve up some of the winning dishes at lunchtime on days schools are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.
Competition judges were Jim Millar of Cook School Scotland; Lisa Tennant, Chief Executive, Taste Ayrshire; Graham Short, Executive Director of Educational and Social Services and Andrew Kennedy, Acting Head of Facilities Management.
Graham Short said: “Over 600 children entered this competition and we thoroughly enjoyed reading their very colourful and creative recipes. Many included drawings and photographs and demonstrated the wealth of skill and imagination of our pupils”.
Councillor Iain Linton, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “Food is an important part of every celebration and our school meals team wanted to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and encourage schoolchildren to celebrate food.
“The school meals service has developed a strong reputation for using the best local ingredients. Skilled catering managers cook fresh food every day and serve nutritious, healthy meals. With the support of The Cook School Scotland, we gave pupils the opportunity to get cooking”.
Councillor Stephanie Primrose, also Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “Many schools will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee – and what better way to celebrate than with the best quality food.
“This competition encouraged children to research the Jubilee, food and ingredients, as well as using practical skills in a way that supports many aspects of their learning in line with the Curriculum for Excellence”.
Chef Jim Millar added: “It was a very difficult task to select winners – there were just so many brilliant recipes submitted!”
ends
For further information, contact Elaine Scott on 01563 576013 or email elaine.scott@east-ayrshire.gov.uk