Silver for Mitchelstown student at All-Island cookery contest
The Avondhu area is proudly represented on the national stage this week as yet another local young chef has knocked it out of the park, with Mitchelstown’s Abbie O’Keeffe taking silver in the Junior section of the All-Island Healthy Home Chef competition.
The Coláiste Fionnchua third-year student placed second of 16 students all across the country with her healthy alternative to fish and chips; a dish of herb crusted baked hake fillet, with a black pudding potato cake, pea purée and asparagus wrapped in parma ham, dressed with a salsa verde.
As the competition was to be a ‘healthy take’ on a traditional dish, this alternative to the fish supper included black pudding to introduce iron, and the vitamin C in the peas to further help iron absorption.
Held at St Angela’s College in Sligo, the students’ efforts were judged by top chef Neven Maguire as well as Dr Amanda McCloat, the college president, Dr Helen Maguire and Dr Elaine Mooney.
‘EXTREMELY PROUD’
Deputy principal of Coláiste Fionnchua, Aoife O’Keeffe, who also happens to be Abbie’s mother, spoke with The Avondhu following the win.
“She’s been cooking from a young age, and practiced on us all. She’s thrilled with her win!”
The school also congratulated their student on her scoop, saying they were “extremely proud”.
Though only 14, Abbie’s intentions are to study Home Economics at St Angela’s, a plan she had even before her notable achievement.
First place in the Junior section was claimed by Charlotte McCracken of Killicomaine Junior High School in Portadown, while third place went to Danielle O’Sullivan of Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline.
FURTHER SUCCESS
The young student has had quite a winning week, as the multi-talented teenager was off again on Wednesday to play with the Coláiste Fionnchua Senior Ladies football team, who won their Munster final against St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon. Congratulations!