Seamus Clancy of Ballinrobe Community School, Ballinrobe, has been named the best student chef in County Mayo. That’s according to the Uncle Ben’s School’s Cookery Competition 2004, whose 16^th annual search for the best student chef of the year is on! Pupils from every secondary school in Ireland were invited to submit their recipes and over 1,100 entries were received.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Community School Seamus Clancy regional winner in the Uncle Ben's School Cookery Competition L-R: Grainne Henry Home Economics teacher, Seamus Clancy winner, Louis O'Malley Pricipal. Photo Ken Wright Photography 2004.

Seamus created a Chinese dish of ‘Chilli Fried Rice’ to win. Seamus has always had a great interest in cooking. Using his culinary know-how and a considerable degree of imagination he had to create an Oriental, Indian, Chinese or Mexican themed party dish, suitable for four friends using Uncle Ben’s rice as the main ingredient. To enable the chef to socialise at this party, preparation time for his/her dish could not exceed one hour.

The prizes this year are particularly exciting and Seamus is one step closer to the opportunity of a lifetime - to work for a day with elite Irish chef Derry Clarke at L’Ecrivain and add their winning meal to the L’Ecrivain menu!

From the 26 county winners, six will later be chosen as regional finalists to represent all corners of Ireland at the national final to be held in Dublin on 26^th April 2004, in Bord Bia, Dublin.

As well as the fantastic opportunity to work alongside one of Ireland’s best chefs, the overall winner will also receive a holiday for four to London including four days and three nights accommodation in a top London Hotel. The winner will also receive the Uncle Ben's School's Cookery Perpetual Trophy plus €1,300 worth of electrical equipment for the Home Economics department at their school.

Two runners up will receive €200 worth of vouchers for Roches Stores plus €150 worth of electrical equipment for their school. Three ‘Special Commendation’ prizes of a €150 worth of Lifestyle vouchers and €150 worth of electrical equipment for the Home Economics Department. Teachers from participating schools also have the opportunity to win a luxury break for two at the Lodge & Spa at Inchydoney, Co. Cork.

This, the sixteenth year of the Uncle Ben’s School’s Cookery Competition, has proved as popular as ever with over 1,100 recipes using Uncle Ben's rice. Noreen Ingamells, Uncle Ben’s Food Development Manager commented: "Each year, we are impressed with the high standard of entries. Our judging panel always has a tough job to select county winners".

 For further information, please contact:

Joanne Lavelle / Ruth Gleeson at McConnells PR