TINGLING tastebuds tried top tasty treats as the thinking caps went on to decide the winner of 2008's Rotary Young Chef competition. Cooking just does not get tougher than this as the Rotary Club again held its young chef competition in conjunction with the food technology department at Okehampton College. Heats took place at the college and a top chef from each year was selected to serve up the delightful dishes to a panel of judges with discerning palates. The representatives from years 7, 8, 9 and 10 were Emily Colling, Shane Turner, Margaret King and Michael Herald. The four chefs competed against each other in the final and were cooking for four judges: Wayne Pearson, chef from the Bull and Dragon; Barney Mason, chef at the Fountain Hotel; Sue Carne, head of food technology at the college, and Allenton Fisher, Rotary president. The competition was as fierce as a shift with Gordon Ramsay and inspired heated debate among the judges, with the final placements being rearranged a number of times. The eventual winner, serving a salmon with sesame noodles, was year 9 representative Margaret King. Second place went to Shane Turner from year 8 with a classic spaghetti bolognese, third was Emily Colling from year 7 with a cheesy vegetable bake and fourth was Michael Heard with a salmon yakitori. The judges provided feedback to each contestant on their dishes and cooking styles as well as praising them for the standard and presentation. All four contestants now go forward to the next round of the Rotary competition to compete against winners from other clubs in West Devon with a view to progressing to the regional and national finals. There are fabulous prizes on offer for the eventual winners, including a trip to Italy and a day in one of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurants. Each of the contestants were awarded a prize and certificate by the Rotary Club. LEFT: Overall winner Margaret King with Shane Turner, second; Emily Colling, third, and Michael Heard, fourth. Also show are judges master chefs Barney Mason and Wayne Pearson with tutor Sue Carne and Rotary preisdent Allenton Fisher.