For aspiring young chefs, it all boils down to keen interest in cooking
Former Bermudian resident Karla Lacey-Minors, whom many will remember for creating, developing and managing the Bermuda Chef Cook-off, which raised over $80,000 for charity, is returning to the Island this week to begin production of a television show based on her ‘Jr. Chef’ cooking programme in California, and she is looking for aspiring young Bermudian chefs to take part.
“I am casting young Bermudians aged ten to 15, and it will be an exciting opportunity for them to learn solid cooking skills, make new friends and also eat well,” she said.
Casting will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday at the offices of the Bermuda Broadcasting Company, which is producing the programmes.
Pre-registration is required, and the successful applicants must be available for filmed cooking sessions every afternoon during the week of April 2 to 8, and for full days on April 9, 10 and 11.
They will be selected on the basis of an interest in cooking, a letter of recommendation from a teacher and commitment by the parent(s) to have their child attend all filming sessions.
Parents should also note that they will be required to sign a release form. In lieu of financial remuneration, students will be trained in the art of food preparation by some of Bermuda’s top chefs, enjoy great food and make new friends.
The young Bermudians who are selected will cook alongside a group of American ‘Jr. Chefs’ whom cooking instructor and personal chef Mrs. Lacey-Minors is bringing to the Island to be filmed teaching and working alongside the local ‘Jr. Chefs in Training’ for one episode as they learn about Bermudian food and culture.
A second episode will focus exclusively on the newly trained Bermudian ‘Jr. Chefs’ as they learn about the food and culture of another group of people living and working in Bermuda.
“The purpose is to use food as a common denominator, through shared educational and dining experiences, to promote cultural understanding and tolerance among young people aged seven to 15,” Mrs. Lacey-Minors said. “I am thrilled to see this dream come to fruition. It is truly a blessing to be in a position to bring together young people from such diverse backgrounds through the common denominator of food.”
Since leaving Bermuda for Sacramento, California in October 2003, Mrs. Lacey-Minors has dedicated her talent and energies to building bridges among groups of young people who, at first glance, would seem to have nothing in common.
“Through my not-for-profit ‘Jr. Chef’ cooking programme, children from across the cultural, ethnic and economic divides have found common ground, learned life-long sufficiency skills, and gained a level of insight and understanding in relating to their peers that most would never otherwise have had,” she said. “Each will use what they have learned to make healthier lifestyle choices for themselves and, by extension, their families. Some will go on to careers in the culinary field. All will have been sensitised to the myriad opportunities which can come one’s way when the mind is open to new things.”
[bul] To pre-register for Friday’s casting session, please
It all boils down to keen interest in cooking
