The challenge was to create an entrée for two that could be prepared, cooked, and presented all within 45 minutes. Given that beetroot usually takes at least that long just to cook, this certainly was a challenge! However, two groups of students rose to the challenge and created two amazing dishes which were entered into the competition.

Our Year 11 Team were Kaylie Nicholas and Anna Reuben. Their dish was tender ravioli filled with sweet beetroot and ricotta, parmesan and goat feta cheeses, nestled on a bed of creamy beetroot and almond butter sauce. Served with accents of basil pesto oil to enhance your eating experience. They made every aspect of this dish themselves, including the pasta for the ravioli.

The other team, the Year 12-13 Team, were Ben Cartwright and James Pirie. Their dish was sweet beetroot combined with tangy blue cheese and feta creating a taste explosion in our deliciously shallow fried beetballs. Served with a zesty orange-anise dipping sauce and presented on an orange infused bed of micro-greens.

Both teams worked all Term 2 to finalise their dishes which were then photographed, questionnaires filled in and recipes written, to be sent off to the judges.

While we were not successful in winning the regional final, both teams were awarded medals which reflects the strength of their entries – they were amazing!!! 

Ben and James were awarded a silver medal for their dish. Kaylie and Anna were awarded a gold medal for their dish. Both teams can be HUGELY proud of their accomplishments – these results are truly OUTSTANDING!

Our Year 11 Team are now thinking about next year and what they can do to be even better!

Dr Janelle McKenzie

Hospitality Teacher.