HIRSCH’S Hillcrest hosted the semi-finals of Junior Super Chef 2016 on Friday, 24 June. Ten contestants between the ages of eight and 13 were chosen to prepare a meal of a starter or dessert and main meal from a mystery basket of items with the use of a microwave and an induction stove.
Given just an hour to cook, contestants were left to their own devices to cut meat and prepare the meal. They were judged on the cleanliness of their stations while cooking, timeliness and taste of the meals prepared. “I absolutely loved attending this event and it is such a brilliant initiative by Hirsch’s. Well done to all the contestants, you are all winners,” said guest, Devandré Ernest.
Nerves were high for both contestants and parents as the clock continued to countdown. While the judges enjoyed all the meals prepared, there could only be one winner and 12 year old Maximillian Schumann’s meal proved to be the best. Schumann prepared crumbed chicken strips with basil pesto as a starter and a creamy mushroom and pepper pasta as the main dish.
“The meal was fantastic and surprised the tastebuds, Maximillian prepared such amazing food. A qualified chef in the making,” said Junior Super Chef Judge, Catherine Garden of Fennel and Fig.
Schumann took home a Defy stick blender and has made it into the finals of Junior Super Chef 2016, which take place at the Celebrity Kitchen at The East Coast Radio House and Garden Show on Friday, 8 July at 5.30 pm. The overall winner will get a Defy microwave, a Snappy Chef induction hob, a Zwelling pot set, a Defy pressure cooker and a Hirsch’s Cookbook. Second place gets a Defy juice extractor, a Snappy Chef knife set and a Hirsch’s Cookbook, and third prize gets a Defy kettle and toaster, a Defy blender and a Hirsch’s Cookbook.
