IN THE first year that the St. Vincent Grammar School took part in the ECGC Home Economics Competition, its participant Ceyon Olliverre managed to beat out six other finalists for the top position.{{more}}

Olliverre was awarded the winner of the 2010 ECGC Home Economics Competition at the closing ceremony of the event on Tuesday at the Peace Memorial Hall.

Campden Park Secondary student Kufayna Woodley took the second place, while Corey Balcombe of the St. Martin’s Secondary School, also a first time participant, settled for third place. Olliverre was also awarded the Best Male Student.

The seven finalists in the competition ranged from six secondary schools, namely, North Union Secondary which had two finalists, Campden Park Secondary, St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, St. Martin’s Secondary, Union Island Secondary and St. Vincent Grammar School. The students were required to cook three meals in three categories within two and a half hours.

Speaking at the ceremony, Marketing and Personel Manager of the ECGC Martin Laborde expressed that the company is proud to be associated with the competition. Laborde explained that during the previous years the company had challenges in increasing costs and some costs had to be cut. He related that the competition was the one of the things that survived. “We believe that we are making an investment…that we will see returns in our investment,” Laborde said.

Laborde also mentioned that a cook book featuring the recipes done by the students who participated in the competition over the years was also in the works. He added that the company hopes to include recipes from this year’s competition.

Also, speaking at the ceremony, Senior Education Officer for Secondary Schools, Carlton Hall, commended the ECGC for their commitment for the relationship with the ministry. ECGC has sponsored the event for the past 17 years. Expressing his pleasure at seeing the male students participating, Hall stated that the competition presents a “new and developing opportunity for male and female students.”

The competition is done to allow students to showcase their culinary skills; it also prepares students for the Caribbean Dueling Competition in Barbados. Two finalists will be chosen to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at that competition.

Awards were given to the most outstanding finalist in three categories. medals were also awarded to each finalist and certificates were given to the schools who participated. The top three winners received trophies and $800, $500 and $300 for first, second and third place respectively.