The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has launched its search to find the best of Northern Ireland’s young culinary talent as part of the 2012 Young Cook of the Year competition.
The popular cookery competition, which is open to all key stage 3 and 4 classes and Special Education Schools across Northern Ireland, is inviting students to plan a two course meal for four sporty friends to enjoy before watching their favourite event at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Using locally sourced ingredients, including dairy products, the competition aims to encourage students to combine an understanding of good nutrition and value for money with the ability to produce high quality food for sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Lucky finalists will be invited to take part in a ‘Masterchef’ style cook–off.
Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, said:
“We are looking forward to beginning our search to find Northern Ireland’s next budding culinary talent. With the 2012 London Olympic Games fast approaching, it’s a great time to educate young people about the importance of good nutrition and the use of dairy products to help sustain a healthy and active lifestyle. Dairy foods are very versatile ingredients and contain a wide range of nutrients making dairy a simple and economic component of any balanced diet.”
The competition has been developed in consultation with the Education and Library Boards and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland (CCEA).
Endorsing the Dairy Council’s Young Cook of the Year competition, Glynis Henderson, Principal Officer for Home Economics, CCEA, said:
“The competition allows young people from across Northern Ireland to demonstrate the culinary skills that they have learnt in their Home Economics classes for creating nutritious dishes from locally sourced ingredients. It also provides a great opportunity for our young people to develop life skills such as resource management, cooking and nutritional awareness, which are essential for their development into healthy and self sufficient adults.”
Winners will be chosen from each Education and Library Board area, with the overall category winners and the Young Cook of the Year announced at a special cook–off in March.
For more details of the competition click here
Pictured: Michael Drayne, Dairy Council Chairman and Emma Carson, Home Economics Student from Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast.