Offaly student takes second in inaugural competition

Sacred Heart School Tullamore student Ciara Molloy showed just how well she knows her way around a kitchen last month when she came an impressive second in the first all-Ireland "Take Away My Way" cookery competition in Sligo. Sponsored by safefood, the competition saw secondary school students show their skills at creating healthy alternatives to takeaway dishes. Almost a thousand entries for the competition were received in all, with a final of 32 cooks being judged by a panel of experts. Ciara cooked a healthy version of burgers and chips, with chicken tarragon burgers with potato salad and homemade chips. Amanda McCloat is head of Home Ecomonics at St Angele's College in Sligo, where the competition was hosted. She said Home Ec. students are developing skills to make their own takeaway dishes. "It is not difficult to create healthier alternatives to take-away foods that are tastier, cheaper and can be made without leaving home," she said, praising the competition that allowed young people showcase their healthy cooking ability. safefood's Dermot Moriaty agreed, saying the company was delighted to sponsor the competition. Praising the standard of entries, he said learning to cook and eat healthily are lifelong skills that students can benefit from.