Oban Rotary Club 
Young Chef
Young Chef
Rotary Young Chef Regional Competition 2026
On Thursday 5th Feb, Beinn Grey and Calum MacNeil of Oban High School travelled to the campus of Ayrshire College in Kilmarnock to take part in the area final of Rotary’s Young Chef competition. Embracing the opportunity to work in a professional kitchen our two local finalists tested their skills against 10 other competitors.
After two hours of toil (and months of practice) they presented their dishes to the independent judges. The judges were impressed with the standard of cookery demonstrated by competitors and found only minor differences between all of the finalists. Unfortunately, Beinn and Calum did not bring home the ‘silverware’ but, in addition to the praise of the judges, received certificates, a cook book and goody bag from Ayrshire College. tire community very proud.
Steph Lowe, Oban Rotary Club President , who was in Kilmarnock, wished to thank Beinn and Calum’s families for their support and encouragement. He also thanked Colin Felgate and his team of Andy and Evie from the Olive Garden, Oban for the guidance and support given to Beinn and Calum for the local final. Steph particularly wished to acknowledge the enthusiastic encouragement, motivation and leadership provided by Oban High School’s home economics teacher Jennifer Purdie.
Congratulations to Beinn and Calum for their magnificent effort! You’ve made the Rotary Club of Oban, and the entire community very proud.
Young Chef 2025
Oban High School’s Young Chef’s participated in a hard fought, final contest to establish the local winner of the Rotary competition. Our three judges commented on not only the technical skill demonstrated by all participants but also the enthusiasm and dedication required to produce such a high standard of cookery. Head judge Colin Felgate, chef proprietor of The Olive Garden, commented that many elements of the dishes were of “restaurant quality”. The judges, Rotary President Steph Lowe, Depute Head Fiona Leadbeater and Colin enjoyed two courses, produced by each participant within two hours, comprising either a starter and main or main and dessert.
The overall winner was Beinn Grey whose main course of Cod loin, wrapped in Parma ham served with a hollandaise sauce and asparagus and a desert of chocolate souffle wowed the judges. The contestants were judged against a number of criteria, including presentation, cookery processes and ingredient selection and their final scores were incredibly close. Beinn was presented with his personalised, winning chef, apron by Rotary President Steph Lowe and his success means that he will now go forward to the next stage of this national competition, which takes place next year.
The overall winner was Beinn Grey whose main course of Cod loin, wrapped in Parma ham served with a hollandaise sauce and asparagus and a desert of chocolate souffle wowed the judges. The contestants were judged against a number of criteria, including presentation, cookery processes and ingredient selection and their final scores were incredibly close. Beinn was presented with his personalised, winning chef, apron by Rotary President Steph Lowe and his success means that he will now go forward to the next stage of this national competition, which takes place next year.
All participants received fantastic support from their Home Economics teacher, Jennifer Purdie, and invauable advice from Chefs Andy MacEachen and Evie Edgington from @theolivegardenoban (The Olive Garden) who mentored their young protegees. The Rotary Club of Oban is extremely grateful to all those who supported the participation of these young chefs and we look forward to Beinn’s continued progress through the next round.
The accomplished participants of the young chef competition were presented with certificates for their hard work and excellent cooking skills. An apron embroidered with his name was presented to Beinn Gray, for his culinary prowess.
President of the Oban Rotary, Steph Lowe presented the group their awards and recognized their growing talent.
Young Chef 2019
On Thursday 19th December 2019, we held the final of the Young Chef Competition at Oban High School, also attended by the Oban Times photographer.
Six pupils from Oban High took part in the final. They were required to cook two courses (starter & main or main & dessert) and had a maximum budget of £15. They had to plan and cook their menu and consider issues such as nutrition, health and cost. The pupils received guidance from their Home Economics teacher, Hannah Douglas, and John McNulty, Chef Patron of the Etive Restaurant, Oban.
The competition was judged by:
Rotary Club of Oban President Douglas Small, Cllr Yvonne McNeilly (Policy Lead for Education, Argyll & Bute Council), John McNulty (Chef Patron, Etive Restaurant) and David Lapsley (Sommelier Patron, Etive Restaurant).
The winner was Dylan Squire, whose menu of Chicken Caesar Salad and Crepes with Orange Sauce received the unanimous acclaim of the judges. The judges were fulsome in their praise of the effort and quality of food produced by all competitors and announced Findlay McTavish and Angel Buick as joint runners up.
The Rotary Club of Oban is extremely grateful Oban High School for their support for all our Youth Competitions and in particular this one which requires the use of school facilities. We particularly appreciate the fantastic support given by Peter Bain OHS Head, Hannah Douglas and our external judges John McNulty and David Lapsley.
Christmas Dinner will be very interesting in Dylan Squires house this year!