IT was a test of culinary skill as much as concentration for 40 students from Frankston and Mornington Peninsula schools competing in the 2016 VCAL cook-off competition this month.
Students competed in groups against one another on Thursday 1 September to create a winning main meal and dessert. The contestants were then judged by a panel of local chefs, including the Peninsula Larder’s Rodney Graham, and the chairman of the Food Industry Advisory Body (FIAB).
The main course winner was Will Faska and Mat Elvy from Padua College, and runner up went to Talia Gordon and Katlyn Gale from SkillsPlus and BRACE.
The dessert winner was Ben Airey and Malinda Tredinnick from Naranga School and runner up went to Rosebud Secondary College students Ashley Hardy and Kaitlyn Mc Laughlin.
Held at Frankston’s START Training Centre at Chisholm TAFE, the competition was organised by the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Local Learning and Employment Network and the Peninsula VCAL Association, with support from both Mornington Peninsula Shire and Frankston Council.