Pupils get stuck in!
The air in the food tech room was thick with a delicious aroma of caramelised sugar and warm dates recently, when six pupils (and Mr Talks!) competed against each other, to produce the perfect sticky toffee pudding.
Their culinary efforts were judged by three of the region’s finest food experts: Charlotte White, whose Cartmel Sticky Toffee Company has immortalised this dessert and given it worldwide popularity; esteemed Lancaster restaurateur Rob Mason, of Quite Simply French, and Andrew Wildsmith OL, owner of the elegant country house and restaurant Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale.
They all praised the boys who took part, remarking on their confidence and panache, saying that they would be proud to serve any of the competition entries in their own establishments, before awarding first prize to Upper Sixth student, Tom Richmond. In second place was third year pupil Josh Hunt – an impressive result seeing as this was the first time Josh had done any cooking!
The bake-off was held as part of the celebratory opening of the new food technology facilities at LRGS. Since September, the boys have been taught cooking skills for the first time, in a state of the art building, City View, which stands on the top of the school site and commands impressive views across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay. John Holland, former Chairman of Governors unveiled a plaque and formally opened the building.
City View, an iconic stone and glass construction, also houses a cafeteria, staff common room and a suite of offices for the Head and colleagues. Andrew Jarman called City View: “A real investment for the future and a tangible statement of architectural intent. It stands proudly as a beacon of confidence about the school’s long-term commitment to building excellence.”
The building has been financed by Government funding, alongside many generous donations by former pupils, parents and the wider community. It forms the first stage of the school’s current building development programme. For more information on the Plan for Renewal see www.lrgs.org.uk/development.
