Maroochy Chef Comp

Photos by XS Entertainment: DJ Mendoza and Stuart Maish (Principal) get ready for Maroochy Chef

Maroochy Students All Winners at Inaugural Maroochy Chef Competition

At Maroochydore State Primary School last week students, staff and guest judges enjoyed a lunch time of a different kind, during the inaugural Maroochy Chef.

Guest judges included Adam Freeman, Manager of See Plus Restaurant, Mooloolaba, Simone Bell, Associate Publisher of Sunshine Coast parenting magazine, Kids on the Coast, and Principal, Stuart Maish. Judges sampled dishes prepared by class groups, using fresh ingredients grown in their class garden. Judges were impressed with the students' creativity and good taste, admiring the bright colours and interesting combinations of fresh, school grown ingredients. "The snow peas are the sweetest I've tasted this season,"  said Mr Freeman.

The judges were unable to select a conclusive winner, so impressive were the original dishes, which included chilled soups, summer salads, and a unique recipe from Year Six, combining salad ingredients with a vanilla ice cream Christmas snowman. With every class named a winner, Mr Maish has promised a whole school ice cream party.

The school's edible garden program was established in September this year and tending the garden has become a popular activity with students and staff.

The elevated gardens were built by a working bee group of staff members. Each year level took charge of their own garden, learning how plants grow, and finding out about different flavours.  As Christmas holidays approach the gardens are in full harvest and as a cooperative community venture, the school will hire out the oval to motor home owners during the break, who will harvest the fresh crops and replant them for the new school year. New season vegetables and herbs are being kindly donated by Bunnings Maroochydore.

The school hopes that the success of this program and of their inaugural Maroochy Chef competition will lead to similar arrangements with local community groups.

Photo below by XS Entertainment: Year 6/7’s amazing entry – Thai Beef Salad and Fresh Spring Rolls