A Ramelton girl has been crowned Tesco Young Cook of the Year.
Roisin Boyce, the youngest ever winner at 11, wowed the judges at Sion Hill College of Home Economics with her culinary skills and left the other four regional finalists in the shade.
Roisin's prize winning dishes were Cod Chilli Lemon and Couscous Delight, followed by a Crackingly Fruity Mountain.
Her prize is an adventure filled, week-long trip, with spending money, to EuroDisney Paris for a family of four, a weekend cookery trip to a renowned Irish Cookery School as well as a brand new top of the range PC for her school.
Parents Catherine and Brian were delighted at her achievement and were looking forward to the family holiday in Disneyland.
"Roisin always had an interest in cooking and she has been practising a lot since winning the regional heat. We are very proud of her," Catherine Boyce said.
While she teaches Home Economics in the Loreto Convent, Catherine said the winning dishes were all Roisin's own work.
Roisin was presented with her trophy and prize at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel on Thursday in front of guests of honour who included celebrity judge RTE's Caroline Morahan and Tesco Ireland Chief Executive Tony Keohane.
TWO-COURSE MENU
The five finalists each had to devise a two-course menu using original recipes, including ingredients costing no more than 25 euro, available in Tesco stores nationwide.
The aim of the competition is to make children aware of the food that they are eating and its nutritional value, and to also encourage them in a fun way to get back into the kitchen to cook.
Tony Keohane Chief Executive Tesco Ireland, hosted the afternoon's prize giving ceremony.
"At Tesco we recognise the growing importance of getting children interested in what they are eating, and cooking, at an early age. Competitions like this are an ideal way of encouraging young people to learn about food and nutrition in a creative way, and hopefully learn skills that will benefit them for life. We wish Roisin all the very best with her future culinary career," Mr Keohane said.
JUDGES
This year's competition was judged by a panel of expert judges including Biddy White Lennon, Máirín Uí Chomáin, Marilyn Bright, Charlotte Coleman Smith and Honor Moore all from the Irish Food Writers Guild.
At the final, they were joined, for the second year running, by celebrity guest judge, Caroline Morahan.
"The competition is structured so that the youngsters can demonstrate their skills in creating a nutritionally balanced menu, shopping, budgeting and presentation skills. At the regional finals, it was a pleasure to meet so many young people, with a passion and enthusiasm for good food, " said Biddy White Lennon.
