PETER GORTON JUDGES SCHOOL APPLE PIE COMPETITION WITH GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF FOUNDER OF BRAMLEY APPLE

As part of the 200 years of the Bramley apple celebrations, celebrity chef Peter Gorton from The Horn of Plenty Hotel & Restaurant near Tavistock in Devon joined Celia Steven, Great Granddaughter of Henry Merryweather - who introduced the Bramley apple to the UK - at St. Andrews Primary School in Buckland Monachorum near Tavistock to judge their fourth annual apple pie making competition.

Four years ago, 12 pies were entered into the competition whilst last year 54 pies were judged – this year Peter and Celia tasted 65 pies. The winners were Luke Curnow in the junior category and Rebecca Carver in the infants category.

Peter Gorton said; "the overall standard was excellent and the winners were chosen because of imagination, presentation and overall flavour."

Celia Steven donated a Bramley apple tree to the school in 1999 and organised fund raising events for another 30 Tamar variety apple trees and three Tamar cherry trees to be planted in the community orchard. The apple trees in the orchard have produced their first crop this year and the apples were put on display in the school hall at the event. The children also crushed the apples during the afternoon.

Celia, who does many talks about the importance of apples in the Tamar valley said; “The children learn how to look after an orchard and they are taught about self-sustainability and bio-diversity. Parents really like the competition because it’s a good opportunity, not only to teach the children about apples, but it is something the whole family can do together.’

Peter Gorton, the Michelin Star chef who judged the competition and handed out the prizes, has a daughter at the school and is well known by the children and parents there. He said; “I love cooking with children and kids love being involved with preparing food. The potential to learn and have fun is huge and it’s great to see how proud the children are of what they’ve produced.”

For more information, contact:
Tina Carne, PR Consultant, Four Degrees West Ltd. Tel: 01822 832252.