Recognising and rewarding great young talent...

Rotarians in Peterborough and surrounding areas wish all readers a happy and healthy New Year. Wehave had lots of fun at our dinners and parties and now we are ready to return to work in the community. Remember you often get back more than you put in! .

Whosaid chaps cannot cook?

At Stamford Rotary Club’s Young Chef Competition, held recently in the kitchens of the Stamford Girls School, the only boy in the competition cooked his way to victory. This was despite very strong opposition from six young ladies whose own offerings ensured the judges had to be on their toes.

Alexander Keys, an A- level student from the Stamford Boys’ school was the hero of the night.

Having personally plucked his Rutland pheasant, he presented it on a mushroom and pearl barley risotto with carrots, accompanied by a mustard, sherry and shallot sauce.

This was followed by a spiced pear pie served with vanilla ice cream.

Judges Chris Pitman from the George Hotel of Stamford and John Hawkins representing the Rotary club were very impressed by the high standard achieved by all the candidates.

However they decided that Alexander’s dishes and presentation won the evening’s competition and a £ 50 prize. Alexander now progresses to the next round of Rotary Young Chef in January in Huntingdon.

Second and third were Dayna Chamberlain from the Girls’ school and Namakaw Nknosi from Queen Eleanor School.

In 2012 a former Rotary Young Musician of the Year, sponsored by the Ramsey Club, sang for the last time in the town before starting university. Hannah Butson has entertained many organisa- tions in the area following her success.

To mark the occasion Hannah, 18, of Ramsey St Mary’s was presented with a bouquet of flowers by President Mark Greenhalgh during a concert at the St Thomas a Becket Church.

She has sung with the church choir for many years where she was head chorister.

When a member of Ramsey Choral Society she sang the Ave Maria from Faure’s Requiem and has had many lead roles in pantomimes performed by the Upwood Pantomime Society, the last one being Cinderella.

Hannah is now studying History at Durham.

President Mark said: “Sin- ce Hannah won the Area and District Young Musician of the Year in 2010 she has performed at number of Rotary events. As she is now starting at university we wanted to show her our gratitude and wish her well.”

Pictured, top, at the Young Chef competition are Alexander Keys, Bethany Sharpe, Molly Mitchell, Izzy Forster, Makayla Taplin, Namakau Nknosi and Dayna Chamberlain. Makayla and Namakau are from Queen Eleanor School and the others are pupils at the Stamford Endowed Schools.

Pictured above is Hannah Butson receiving her bouquet from Ramsey president Mark Green.