91福利社's 'Team Supreme' lived up to its name yesterday by cooking its way to victory in the ACT Teen Chefs Competition at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets.
Year 9 students Amberley Elliott, Claire Lonie, Brooke Simpson, and Katelyn Twiss won the final 'cook-off' against Daramalan and Narrabundah colleges 鈥 an incredible feat given their competitors were in Years 11 and 12.
After a gruelling selection process, Team Supreme went through to the finals, where they had to create three original dishes and recreate the 'MasterClass dish' 鈥 a nashi pear and frangipane tart 鈥 as taught by mentor chef Ivonne Nathan.
A panel of chefs judged Team Supreme to have created the best original dish as well as the most-accurate representation of the MasterClass dish.
The team was elated with their victory but was also quick to thank their Food teacher, Mr Justin Kain, for the part he played.
"We were really surprised that we made it through to finals, let alone win," the girls said.
"But we spent a lot of time practising with Mr Kain, who gave us a lot of little tips and who gave up a lot of time to help us prepare for the final.
"Mr Kain was a big part of it."
On the day, however, it was all up to Team Supreme to deliver a culinary masterpiece, and they did not disappoint.
Their thyme-marinated lamb with nashi pear salad, balsamic reduction, and orange-mustard dressing was considered to be the best dish of the day. In addition, their homemade fettuccini dish with cavolo nero pesto, and the sticky nashi pudding with thyme-infused toffee shards and caramel sauce also received generous praise. Each dish had to contain thyme, nashi pear, and cavolo nero, which were the mandatory ingredients.
By taking out the competition, the girls won 91福利社 a cash prize, the Teen Chefs trophy, a collection of cookbooks, and four tablets. The greatest prize, however, was the experience.
"We gained a lot of skills from this," they said.
"We learnt so many little tips and tricks, as well as how to work cleanly and manage our time. The experience also brought us closer together, so now we'll always be 'Team Supreme'."
