Great Denbighshire Menu Primary School Final 2016

Tuesday 24 May 2016 was a “gloriumptious” day at Denbigh High School, Denbighshire, as the school hosted this year’sGreat Denbighshire Menu Primary School Final 2016, showcasing the cooking skills and talents of nine young chefs from schools across the county. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As one of Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services’ centrepieces to mark 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl, this year’s Great Denbighshire Menu 2016 competition took as its theme “Dahlicious” and asked children to choose their favourite Roald Dahl book to create a healthy (fictional) breakfast that could be served at school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This year’s finalists – Amy Jones and Niamh Cochran, Ysgol Bro Famau, Rhys Penge, Ysgol y Gwernant, Katie Parton and Ella Jones, Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Nicole Garratt, Ysgol Pendref, Glesni Reece and Keira Ashton, Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog and Emily Cooper, Ysgol y Llys – all impressed the judges and audience of parents and teachers with their culinary skills by whipping up their “dahlicious” menus. The aromas that filled the kitchen had everyone envious of the two lucky judges – Mark Young, Denbigh Chocolate Shop proprietor and Mrs Teleri Owen, Head of Catering at Denbigh High School – who tasted all the mouth-watering dishes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The judges found this year’s competition of a very high standard, with students demonstrating a wide range of culinary competencies. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After a full morning of watching these young chefs show off their skills in the kitchen, it was time for the big announcement. Who would be crowned Great Denbighshire Menu Primary School Chef 2016? ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After the judges had deliberated, they congratulated all nine finalists for their great work and delicious menus. They said it had been a tough decision and commended them all on their efforts. However, there could only be one winner and Nicole Garratt, Ysgol Pendref, was crowned Great Denbighshire Menu Primary School Chef 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Now in its second year, the Great Denbighshire Menu competition is a successful collaboration between Denbighshire Healthy Schools and Curriculum Enrichment initiatives. A boost to self-esteem is one of the benefits of taking part in the annual cookery contest, according to Paula Roberts, Denbighshire Healthy Schools Co-ordinator. Competitors experience a sense of achievement, as well as demonstrating a greater interest in cooking. The students’ newfound confidence and skills were also noted by their parents and teachers. An evaluation of the competition’s pilot in 2015 found the children had a greater awareness of healthy eating, local food produce and cooking to a budget. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Great Denbighshire Menu is open to all budding young chefs across the county from seven to fifteen years of age. Competition categories include primary, secondary and special schools. Paula Roberts, Denbighshire Healthy Schools Co-ordinator said: “Each year it is wonderful to see the children’s delight and sense of accomplishment, as well as how proud their parents and teachers are of them”. She added: “If you know a child with any interest in baking or cooking, this is a great opportunity for them to step up to the plate”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

And Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services is delighted to announce that in 2017, it will be launching “The Great Denbighshire Bake Off” competition for Denbighshire schools. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​