St Benedict's students win competition judged by Michelin star chef

The contest run by Lakes College was designed to encourage more young people to consider a career in hospitality and to also think about sustainability and where there food comes from.

Mia Smurthwaite and Paige Gibbs, both from Year 10, qualified for the final after winning their school heat earlier this month.

Emma Donoghue from Lakes College came into school to judge the heats, with other Year 10 students also competing with Mia and Paige.

After some very impressive cooking from all of the students, the girls were chosen to represent St Benedict’s at the grand final on June 17, which was judged by Michelin starred chef Jack Bond from the Cottage in the Wood at Keswick.

Emma said: “The students were brilliant. Paige and Mia were confident, they showcased their skills to a very high standard and it was a pleasure to have them in the kitchen.

“The standard was high and the students at St Benedict’s produced some brilliant dishes for me to try when I came out to judge the first round.”

At the final, they competed against other teams from St Josephs' School, Workington Academy, Netherhall School and Beacon Hill School.

Mia and Paige worked as a team, and cooked chicken katsu curry with lemon and thyme rice accompanied by a Nigella seed naan.

Mia said: “We made a Katsu Curry with lemon and thyme rice accompanied with a naan bread. I enjoyed the competition and loved working in the big industrial kitchens at Lakes College. I hope to join the college in the future to further my education.

“The competition helped widen my view on what it would be like to be a student there and to work in their kitchen. I have learned that practice makes perfect!

“At the start of the prep for the competition I had no idea how to make panko or katsu curry sauce but now I must say I'm rather good at it. To win the competition was just the icing on the cake.”

Paige and Mia with teacher Aiden Boal (Image: Submitted)

Paige added: “It was absolutely amazing to cook in the competition,  I loved the experience so much. It gave me some ideas of doing catering as a career option. I learned so much from this like how to make naan bread, how to properly present it and how the ingredients are sustainable.

“I really enjoyed it and would encourage so many people to choose catering as a GCSE option to have an amazing opportunity like this.”

Aiden Boal, teacher of hospitality and catering, said: “We are extremely proud of Mia and Paige, this is a fantastic achievement for them both. The planning they both completed before the competition was meticulous, they showed an understanding of ingredients and flavours way beyond their age.

“They cooked with precision on the day, Jack Bond commented on their cookery skills and their knowledge of sustainable cookery. I hope both girls go on to make their mark in the industry. Well done girls!”