ON Wednesday, December 3 the Rotary Club of Barry held its Young Chef Competition at Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School.

This event is the first stage of one of the Rotary organised National competitions for young people to develop their skills in a range of disciplines.

The competition was, once again, hosted by Sue Hooper, the head of Home Economics at Bryn Hafren with support from her colleague Sue Johnston.

Four students from the school competed for the Stanley Brierley Shield named after a Past District Governor of Rotary from Barry.

The competition was judged by Darren Greenland from the Hospitality and Catering Department of Cardiff and Vale College and by Janet Scicluna, principal consultant from Janet Scicluna Associates who commended the contestants on the challenging menus they had chosen and the very high standards of their cooking and presentation.

The winner of the Shield was Sydney McLean closely followed by Lauren Wileman who held off close challenges from both Emily Halford and Rachele Walters.

The four competitors had been chosen to compete following their success in a school competition.

The president of Barry Rotary Club, Robin Pitcher, presented Sydney with her Shield and presented certificates to all the young chefs who competed. He too was impressed by the standard they achieved and complimented them on taking part with such skill and enthusiasm.

Sydney will now go on to the next round representing Barry in the Cardiff and Vale Area Final which will be held early in the new year, and if successful will proceed to the S Wales competition.

If you would like further information on Rotary you can speak to Barry Rotary Club past president Peter Battle on 01446 710204 or look online at www.ribi.org club members meet weekly on Thursdays in the Glenbrook Inn in Barry 6pm for 6.30pm. Membership is open to women as well as men.