On Saturday 4th May, pupils enjoyed the highly anticipated annual House Masterchef competition, an opportunity to showcase their culinary talents in a friendly (yet fiercely competitive!) environment. The Masterchef event, which has become a staple in the College’s calendar since its inception in 2017 (with the inevitable pause during the Covid-19 pandemic).
St Lawrence College has a rich tradition of hosting various Inter-House events, including House Singing, House Drama, and Sports Day. House Masterchef emerged as a natural extension of this tradition, spurred by the passion for cooking among a number of students.
The competition, held annually during the Summer Term, sees each Senior House represented, with the Kirby Houses, Cameron and Courtenay, engaging in their own intense Inter-House battles. Teams comprised of three enthusiastic chefs, spanning different year groups, compete against each other, with some Houses boasting a mix of both Junior and Senior students. The event often sees Upper Sixth Form pupils taking the lead, inspired by the success and enjoyment of previous participants.
This year, the judging panel, comprising the Chaplain, Miss Chopping, and Mr Porter, had the enviable task of sampling a variety of delectable dishes prepared by the competing teams. While taste remained the primary criterion, presentation also played a crucial role in the evaluation process. The final winners were revealed in Assembly on Monday 13th May and were:
Best Main – Bellerby (Senior Girls’ Boarding House)
Best Dessert – Deacon (Senior Boys’ Day House)
Overall winner – Laing (Senior Girls’ Day House)
Fortunately, the event proceeded without any unexpected interruptions, with no fire alarms disrupting the culinary creativity on display. Memorable highlights from this year’s House Masterchef included the awe-inspiring sight of Nepalese momos being crafted from scratch, showcasing the diverse culinary influences within the College community. Additionally, teams demonstrated solidarity by sharing ingredients and lending support to one another.
Eleanor Matthews, Assistant Head (Pastoral), remarked, “My favourite memories of Masterchef over the years are almost always linked to similar moments – when the pupils come together to support each other regardless of which House they are in.”