The Skipton Academy Students Shine in Rotary Young Chef Competition at Craven College
Students from The Skipton Academy demonstrated exceptional talent, resilience and ambition as they took part in the Rotary Young Chef Competition, held this year at Craven College. Owing to an outstanding level of interest from TSA students, the Academy first ran its own internal round to decide which entrants would progress to the local heats.
The shortlisting round, organised and led by Mr Smith, Teacher of Food and Nutrition, showcased the commitment, creativity and technical skill of our young chefs. After a highly competitive internal event, four students were selected to represent The Skipton Academy at the regional heats: Finley (Year 8), Sulaiman (Year 7), Reeva (Year 7) and Omar (Year 7).
On the evening of the competition, the students travelled to Craven College ready to take on the challenge. Undeterred by the fact that their competitors were several years older, they set up their ingredients and equipment, prepared their workstations, and got straight to work. Once the competition began, all adults were asked to leave the kitchen, anxiously awaiting updates as judges carried out short progress checks. Despite the pressure, students from The Skipton Academy conducted themselves superbly, demonstrating maturity well beyond their years.
Over the course of two hours, each student produced two visually impressive, delicious dishes, all of which were scored highly by the judges. The panel praised the confidence, politeness and calm attitude shown throughout the competition, as well as the high level of technical skill on display. Their comments were a testament not only to the students’ dedication, but also to the support they received from families as they practised their dishes at home in preparation.
The judges highlighted several individual strengths, including the technical skill shown in the handmade pasta produced by Finley and Reeva, the confident execution of Sulaiman’s handmade pizza, and the impressive flavours and crunch factor of Omar’s chicken burger.
Although none of the TSA participants progressed to the next round—facing highly experienced opponents, some of whom were competing for the third time—their performance remained a source of immense pride for the Academy.
Reflecting on the efforts of the students, Mr Smith said:
“Our students showed incredible enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism throughout the competition. Events like this give young people the opportunity to discover what they’re capable of. They build confidence, resilience, and a genuine sense of ambition. I’m exceptionally proud of every student who took part.”
Mr Cook, Principal of The Skipton Academy, added:
“Seeing our students challenge themselves, take risks, and aspire to excellence is what The Skipton Academy is all about. The Rotary Young Chef Competition encourages young people to think big, develop new skills, and truly believe in their potential. We are hugely proud of the way they represented the Academy.”
Competitions of this kind play a crucial role in raising aspirations and inspiring students to broaden their horizons. They provide real‑world experience under pressure, help build independence and confidence, and show students what is possible when they fully commit to their passions. They also expose young people to professional‑level expectations, helping them understand the value of dedication, creativity and continuous improvement.
The Academy extends sincere thanks to Mr Cook, Miss Wilson, Mrs Timson and Mrs Piliso for supporting and judging the internal shortlisting round. Their encouragement and expertise ensured a fair, enjoyable and memorable event for all involved.
Mr Smith expressed his enthusiasm for the future, noting that he looks forward to taking students to compete again next year and hosting another preliminary round to select entrants based on their skills. The Skipton Academy congratulates every student who entered, celebrating their enthusiasm, talent and hard work.
A huge well done to everyone involved.
