On Your Marks...Get set...COOK!
The dining hall at St Gabriel’s was magically transformed into a television studio set earlier today when Year groups 7 and 8 were invited to participate in a presentation based on the popular gameshow, Ready.. Steady.. Cook!
The show featured two celebrity chefs, non other than our very own Mrs Porter, representing the Green team and Mr Berry, representing the Red Team. Both ‘Chef’s’ were ably supported by two enthusiastic assistants selected from each year group.
Organised by Chartwell’s, our ‘celebrity host’ for the morning was Darren Tinker, a qualified chef who’s talents extend beyond the confines of the kitchen as he ‘whipped up’ a curious audience to get behind their chosen team and devise and prepare a balanced main meal in just 15 minutes.
The professional set comprised of two smart workstations complete with cooking utensils, ingredients and overhead mirrors giving the audience with their voting cards a chance to view all the action.
Once the audience had helped the teams identify ingredients with carbohydrate for energy, protein for growth and vitamins for staying healthy, the timer was set, the countdown began and they were off!3 minutes in, recipes had been agreed and duties allocated, the heat turned up on the woks and carbs placed in the steamer.
6 minutes in, Vegetables and meat had been selected and chopped and were sizzling against the sides of the pan.
Half way there and condensation reached the overhead mirrors as the frenzy of activity continued apace and the first aromatic scents permeated through the dining hall.
3 minutes to go and Darren invites members of the audience up to have a closer look at the action and feedback to the audience their thoughts on teamwork and tidiness.
1 minute to go and last chance to serve up dishes as presentation was also going to be a contributing factor...five..four..three..two..one..stop the clock!
The final judging panel was invited up to taste the concoctions. The Red team produced a memorable aromatic chicken on a bed of pasta with a tomato and spinach ragout sauce sprinkled with fresh basil. The Green team produced a tempting chickpea and spinach curry with onions, red peppers and Bombay potatoes on the side.
It was a very close call but it was the RED team who took the vote in a thrilling and memorable contest and judging by the empty plates and the looks of surprise and amazement on the faces of the judges, a tasty one too!