Super Chefs 2023: The Final

We were delighted to welcome two star bakers and their teachers from each of four schools back to the Leighton Park Food Tech room on Thursday 27^th April for the much-anticipated final round of Super Chefs 2023!

Jennie Hatton, Food Tech teacher, commented, “I love Super Chefs. It’s an opportunity to welcome to the school students who have never experienced Leighton Park before. It’s an opportunity to teach students some skills they are not likely to have learned. Today we taught them how to use knives, whip cream and roll pastry. It’s just thrilling. Absolutely thrilling!”

Those that were in the kitchen loved tackling their fruit tartlets in the final, facing the technical challenges of pastry making, creating cream and decorating with fruit. Every pupil had their eye on the magnificent trophy, previously won in 2020 by Hemdean House and in 2022 by Thameside Primary.

“I like that the instructors are always getting involved and making the children laugh” commented Barnaby, Thameside Primary. “I enjoy having fun and baking and cutting up. I learnt the cutting skills and how to make pastry.” noted Gracie May, Hillside Primary. “I really enjoyed decorating the fruit tarts, I learnt techniques about cutting stuff.” added Zara, Caversham Prep. “The teamwork, when we work together and the ideas that we put into cakes, cupcakes – I love it! It’s not about winning; it’s about giving it all you’ve got!” concluded Alavya, Hemdean House

To claim the prize for 2023 one tartlet from each baker was chosen to complete their school’s entry and be judged by the team of experienced assessors, specialists in enjoying cake! Teachers Debbie Ince and Pablo Gorostidi-Perez, are Super Chefs veteran judges having overseen the successes of all five Round 1 bake offs, the fairy cakes round. Our additional new judge, Alessandro Albanese, Head Chef of the School’s Oakview restaurant, and an experienced tartlet taster, made up the trio. “It’s a great idea, it’s fantastic, it’s something where the kids can try food, experiment with ingredients and maybe one day maybe they can cook at home or at university” said Alessandro.

Sadly one school who joined us for Round 1 was unable to make it due to the strikes impacting their staff but we hope that Ben and Nora at St Teresa’s Catholic Academy will be able to develop their love of baking at home.

This year’s competition was won by Caversham Prep; congratulations to Zara and Thomas! Dan Slape, Head, reflected, ““It’s been an amazing experience for the children from Caversham Prep. The first rounds, the heats, they loved, and to have the opportunity to come back and represent the school today and prepare for it and compete; it’s just brilliant.”