Move over Masterchef!

There was the scent of something delicious wafting around the school last Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t coming from the refectory.

Generally speaking, of a summer weekend, boys’ games and boarding activity co-ordinator Mr Butt can normally be found gracing the cricket fields of Kent. This weekend though he was masterminding the first Boarders’ Cookery Competition.

After a meeting in the dining hall on the Thursday night, those interested in taking part met outside Brooke House at 11:20 to be ferried up to Sainsbury’s with a grand total of £15 each to spend on ingredients. They were given help choosing these and given a time limit of 25 minutes to do so.

Upon their return it was to the Food Studies kitchen to get cooking. Each of the contestants, ranging from Year 9 to Year 13, had an hour and a half to concoct a dish or dishes that would be judged on taste, presentation and difficulty. You can imagine the concentration, the heat, the steam, the panic as the clock ticked down and finally the elation and relief at producing the finished pieces.

All agreed that it had been an evenly matched contest, but there had to be a winner and in the end, it was Brabourne boarder Kitty who emerged triumphant with her take on egg-fried rice. Boarding captain Bruce came in second and Brooke and Refuge man Nabeel third.  I think that judging by the photos below that even Masterchef Michel Roux Jr would have been impressed.

Thank you Mr Butt for organising a great afternoon and we all look forward to seeing more chefs duking it out next year.