News

The big Bertram cook-off

The inaugural cook-off between Bertram PS, Harmony PS and Comet Bay PS was hosted by Bertram PS as part of their annual School Fair recently. 

With parents and friends and one nominated judge from each school eagerly watching proceedings, all 18 excited students displayed amazing cooking skills. The rules were carefully laid down and the cook-off commenced at 12 pm sharp. 

Judges were instructed to score the teams on a variety of criteria including knife handling skills, general cooking techniques, cleanliness, teamwork, organisation, ability to follow the recipe without assistance, presentation and - of course - taste.

Each team was presented with a menu and recipe, and were asked to cook one savoury dish (spinach & potato croquettes), one sweet dish (banana cupcakes with oatmeal crumble topping) and to create from scratch their own signature side salad using an array of delicious produce picked from the Bertram PS gardens and displayed with aplomb on the harvest table.

At 1.45 pm the students were instructed to step away from the tables and the difficult job of judging began. The presentation of the food was outstanding, with each team choosing their own platters and presenting their dishes with great artistic and creative flair. The judges conferred and the final results were announced to rapturous applause: Bertram and Comet Bay PS tying for second place and Harmony PS taking first prize on the day (but from the smiles on all the faces, everyone was a winner!).

The schools are already eagerly planning their second and third cook-offs, and are looking forward to this exciting event becoming a regular feature on their schools' calendars. Fran More (Kitchen Specialist at Bertram PS and the key motivator for the day) was thanked for all her hard work, as were all the staff from the three Kitchen Garden Schools who contributed their time and expertise in preparing for and participating on the day.