- Les Amis residents take part in Mastercook competition
- Top local chefs on hand to judge the contest
- See gallery of pictures below
- Re-live the day Big Brother star Craig Phillips visited Les Amis with our two videos
LES Amis residents had their culinary skills tested on Monday in a Mastercook competition that was judged by two of the Island’s top chefs.
The residents, who were working with second-year students at the Highlands College Academy of Culinary Arts, made spaghetti carbonara and chocolate brownies in one of the Academy’s kitchens.
Their dishes were then presented and judged by Michelin-starred chef Mark Jordan and Academy manager Eileen Buicke-Kelly, who has trained hundreds of chefs in Jersey.
The Mastercook competition was held as part of the Les Amis’ 40th birthday celebrations.
The charity, which opened at Five Oaks in 1975 and now supports 80 Islanders in 30 houses and flats around the Island, provides essential services to meet the needs of those with learning disabilities – including Down’s syndrome and autism – and/or associated conditions.
Thirteen residents took part in the Mastercook competition. After two hours of frenetic activity in the kitchen, the two judges announced that, as the quality of dishes was so high, everyone was a joint winner.
‘It was absolutely brilliant,’ said Les Amis resident Justin Burrows afterwards.
‘I haven’t cooked that much before – I help my mum and dad a bit in the kitchen but now I want to help them a lot more.’
Mr Jordan, who is head chef at the Atlantic and also runs his own restaurant at Beaumont, said that the standard of cooking had been exceptional.
‘Their dishes really were delicious and I would have happily served them in my restaurants.
‘The enthusiasm and spirit was just infectious and it has been a really positive experience for everyone.
Other events to celebrate Les Amis’ 40th birthday include:
- A performance at Jersey Arts Centre by the award-winning Blue Apple Theatre Company of Much Ado About Nothing on Tuesday 19 May. All the actors have learning difficulties.
- A Downton Charity Ball at Samarès Manor on Saturday 18 July with champagne in the rose garden, entertainment and a fundraising auction and raffle.
