Deanery High gets the Crown - 09-10-2008

They digested, they discussed and then the judges decided!

Pupils from the Deanery High School have been crowned Wigan borough's first Mini Chef champions.

The 15 and 16-year-olds beat off stiff competition from three other schools as part of Wigan's second Food and Drink Festival.

Celebrity chef Tom Bridge was on hand as pupils put their culinary skills to the test in a live ‘cook off' in Wigan Outdoor Market as part of the festival's Outdoor Theatre programme of events.

Afterwards he paid tribute to the creativity and professionalism shown by pupils from St Edmund Arrowsmith, Westleigh High and PEMBEC@Kingsdown High.

But it was the mouth watering starter of parsley potato cake filled with black pudding and Lancashire cheese followed by stuffed roasted chicken breast filled with peppers, onions, tomatoes and tarragon that won the Deanery top spot.

Main judge Tom said: "The standard was tremendous.

"The Deanery's two courses would not have been out of place on the menu of a four star restaurant.

"Every school that entered the tournament was fantastic. They're a great testament to their schools and the industry."

A delighted Sarah Bulfield, Jessica Cuerden, Hannah McGarrigan and Helen Livesey picked up their certificates from the award winning chef.

Hannah said: "It was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity for us. We worked together as a team and we'd definitely do it again."

Wigan Outdoor Market Kitchen Theatre started on Monday 6th October and runs until Saturday 11th October. Each day visitors to the courtyard in Wigan Outdoor Market in the town centre can experience scores of different interactive events from a demonstration in how to perfect a three course pie dinner to a talk and tasting session from Wigan based Allgates - the award winning brewery.

The Outdoor Kitchen Theatre is one part of Wigan's second Food and Drink Festival, sponsored by Hitchen Foods.

For ten days from 3rd October visitors, residents and food fans can enjoy a Fine Food Trail, a real ale trail called ‘The Road to Wigan Beer' and a celebration of Café Culture.

Organiser and tourism manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Keith Bergman was also one of the judging panel.

He said: "This has been a real highlight of the food festival so far.

"It's been a challenging, competitive day that we hope to replicate in 2009."

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