Elgin Academy cooks up a winner in Baxters Soup Challenge at UHI Moray
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FIVE Elgin Academy pupils had a taste of success this week as they took the top prize in the annual Baxters Soup Challenge.
Just under 1000 pupils from five Moray schools took part in the competition and S2 pupils Kyle Grant, Katie Ross, Robbie Campbell, Marley Tait and Olivia Stewart took home the top prize after they impressed the judges with their Curried Chicken and Veg soup. The winning recipe nailed the brief to create a delicious new soup which not only tasted good but delivered two clear health benefits.
Teams from Elgin Academy, Forres Academy, Lossiemouth High School, Milnes High School and Speyside High School also participated in the final with the quality of ideas making it a difficult decision for judges.
The Baxters Soup Challenge, which is delivered in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce Moray offers young people the opportunity to learn new enterprise skills and gain confidence. As well as creating the recipe for their product, pupils also had to develop a costed business and marketing plan to produce and promote their soup, showcasing just some of the roles and career opportunities within the food manufacturing industry.
At the final the pupils had to present their plans to the judging panel as well as participate in a tasting session. This year’s judges were at Baxters European Supply Chain Director Graeme Morrison, Baxters Innovation Chef and Culinary Manager Darren Sivewright, Baxters Brand Controller Kirsty Chalmers, the company's HR and Business Partner Lisa Wood.
Graeme Morrison said: “We look forward to the final of the challenge every year; it’s a brilliant celebration of the pupils’ creativity and hard work and we are always impressed with the standard. This year was no different but Elgin Academy’s recipe really stood out.
“We created the Soup Challenge to give local pupils the opportunity to learn more about how food products are developed and manufactured. Not only does it give them insight into how we take products from an idea to what we all see on the supermarket shelf, the challenge showcases the depth and breadth of careers within the food manufacturing industry.
“As a major employer in Moray, we hope it inspires young people within our local community to ‘be different, be better’ in line with our ethos and values as a business.”
