After winning the national final of Rotary Young Chef 2023, 15-year-old budding chef Eimhear McGrath got to experience an amazing culinary adventure in Tuscany alongside her mum Sarah.
A student from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith, Cumbria, Eimhear was chosen as the winner of Rotary Young Chef 2023 after blowing the judges away back in April and her prize was a trip to Toscano Saporita, a renowned cooking school in Tuscany.
The competition was sponsored by Filippo Berio, the UK’s most popular olive oil brand who also organised the trip.
Everyone there was so welcoming, they made me feel part of the family.”
Touching down in Pisa, Eimhear and Sarah were driven to Toscano Saporita where Eimhear and other students from around the world were taught skills in making the perfect pizza dough and producing beautiful ravioli.
As well as her experience at the school, Eimhear and her mum were treated to lots of quality Italian food throughout their trip, including gelato from World Champion artisan Gelateria Dondoli.
Eimhear received a certificate and bottle of Filippo Berio extra virgin olive oil at the end of her stay at Toscano Saporita.
Eimhear and Sarah also got to soak up all the local culture they could, visiting galleries, vineyards, the Italian Riviera and, of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
At the end of her time at Toscano Saporita, Eimhear was presented with her graduation certificate and a special tin of Filippo Berio extra virgin olive oil by Sandra Rosy Lotti, founder and owner of the school.
According to Sarah, it has renewed Eimhear’s passion for cooking and she was inspired by everyone she met at Toscano Saporita.
Eimhear commented: “Everyone there was so welcoming, they made me feel part of the family.”
Eimhear learned a great deal about Italian food during her visit to Toscano Saporita and the school invited her to return should she want to pursue a career in cooking.
Eimhear and Sarah added that they are both incredibly grateful to Sheila Monkhouse (Eimhear’s school cooking teacher), the Penrith Rotary Club, and to Fillipo Berio for providing such an amazing opportunity.
