Super chef Manuela

A NORTHSIDE student was celebrating recently after being crowned Junior Super Chef of Ireland 2016. 

Manuela Oclon, a second year at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, was one of 16 finalists from all over Ireland competing in the final at St Angela’s College in Sligo.

The competition is an initiative run by both the Restaurants’ Association of Ireland and St Angela’s College whereby students create tasty, healthy and affordable meals.

To qualify for the final, the students had to submit the details of their favourite healthy meal, a main course only for two people. 

Initially, Manuela had to cook the dish and record the quantity and name of each ingredient and explain the cooking method, including cooking times and temperatures. It was very important to explain how the dish was made healthier.

Deputy Principal at St Mary’s Secondary School John Moore said it was a great achievement for Manuela to qualify, as the standards were so high. 

“Once qualified, Manuela and her Home Economics teacher Ms Donnelly began practising for the competition,” he said. 

“There were many hours of hard work and experimentation and thankfully it all paid off on the day when Manuela excelled by cooking a fantastic dish.” 

Manuela’s delicious meal consisted of salmon and saffron rice that was wrapped around by courgette slices and cooked in a very special way.

Mr Moore added: “It is a fantastic achievement and we are all very proud of Manuela and Ms Donnelly.”