Jack Hayward High School have once again demonstrated their culinary skills in the finals of the Young Chef of the Year contest, held last week in New Providence.

Ronisha Evens an eleventh grade student in Hospitality studies participated against 12 other finalists from other islands to secure a silver medal and was awarded the best flour dish of the contest. Ronisha produce Island Empanadas served with a papaya and ginger chutney. Ronisha made the empanadas from a herbed pastry that contianing turbot, pumpkin and other island vegetables. For the rice dish she produced Garden Rice Napoleons with a Sesame Vinaigrette.

Jasmine Rolle, a ninth grade Home Economics student entered the junior young chef contest. Coached by Mr. Theo Arther, Jasmin won a silver medal for her Island Dippers and Just Rush Junkanoo Rice.

The constest, sponsored by Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood flour from Asa H. Pritchard has been running for 17 years now and awards the sucessful students a cash prize towards future education, and of course the prestigious title of being some of the best young chefs in the country. This title is fiercly contested and requires a lot of hard work and determination from the students.

This year, Ronisha has been invited along with the 1st and 3rd Place winners to attend Johnson and Wales University in Florida for a culinary camp in the summer.

The winners for the two previous years also herald from Jack Hayward High. Mervalette Dean, who now attends Culinary college in Atlanta, and Simone Bethell who is studying for her BGCSEs.

I am sure that we will see all of these young ladies again in the future as they put their education into practice.


Photo: From left to right Barry Taylor (Vice Chancelier/Argentier Chaine Des Rottisseurs), Ronisha Evans (silver medal winner 2009), Katrina Hodge (coach), Simone Bethel (gold medal winner 2008) Balli Duncan Mullis of the Chaine Des Rottisseurs, Bailliage de Grand Bahama. (The Chaine des Rotisseurs is an international gourmet society).