Over 200 young people participate in FDF Scotland lockdown food challenge

We were overwhelmed when over 200 young people across the length and breadth of Scotland took part. The standard of the entries submitted was extremely high which caused the judges to have the best kind of dilemma when choosing a winner.

FDF Scotland's Lockdown Lunch Challenge provided an opportunity for young people of all ages to use their creativity and imagination to create a new street food dish using products in their cupboards and fridges. We stipulated that the dish had to contain at least one item of local Scottish produce, contribute to at least one of their five a day, and appeal to their age group or family members.

Some young people submitted their own entries and a number of schools used the challenge to set pupils home schooling tasks from primary through to secondary level. Regardless of how the entries arrived it was clear that the young people had a lot of fun and were very engaged with the overall task.

As well as having fun cooking up a storm with their friends and families, the young people, their parents and their educators gained a better understanding of the food and drink industry. They learnt more about where food ingredients come from, the importance of a healthy balanced diet, how food is produced, and who is involved in making food available in their local shops and supermarkets. The young people also gained an insight into the skills needed to help them into a great career in food and drink.

As the standard was so high the judges couldn't pick just one overall winner and 12 winners were selected. Their dishes were: Scottish Steak Tacos with guacamole and pea-shoot salad; Fruity Cream Crepes; Lockdown Rainbow Salad in a Jar; Sirloin Tattie “Sconewich”, Rainbow Burritos; Summer Burrito seasoned with Scotland; Gyros Salad; Peow Chicken and Swirly Wurlys; Chicken and Pak Choi Ramen; Asian Stuffed Lettuce Leaves; Happy Haggis Finger Parcels; and Cajun Chicken with coriander and lime rice.

The FDF Scotland team is now taking on their own challenge - each recreating one or two of the winning dishes. It will be interesting to see if they can do as well as the young people did!

Moira Stalker, Skills Manager, FDF Scotland, said:

“Every year we are involved in many product development challenges with local schools, food and drink companies and industry partners. Due to the current situation we decided to launch a food challenge that students could take part in at home with their teachers and parents.

“I was overwhelmed by the number of entries we had and by the quality of the dishes the young people created. The creativity and innovation displayed was amazing. I can't wait to try some of the recipes in my own kitchen.”

The full list of winners and their street food dishes are:

Notes for editors:

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
2. Statistics on the food and drink industry