Getting praised by chef Nevin Maguire is no mean feat, but when Kildorrery student Fergal Fouhy presented his dish at the Take Away My Way national final, the judges were blown away by his dish, which was healthy, innovative and creative. His cooking earned him silver place in the prestigious competition, winning himself and the school Amazon vouchers, cooking equipment and also signed copies of Nevin Maguire's cook book.

Fergal, who attends CBS Secondary school in Mitchelstown, but takes Home Economics in Presentation Secondary School Mitchelstown, cooked Thai-style salmon burgers with quinoa salad, cucumber raita and coriander pesto.

He was one of just 14 contestants to have made it through to the senior final of the competition in St Angela's College in Sligo - picked from a record number of entries of 1,200.

The task was to create a healthy version of a take away dish, so Fergal chose to make a unique take on fish and chips, turning the 1,500 calorie dish into a tasty low fat dish coming in at just 490 calories.

Speaking after the final, Fergal said that he was delighted with the win, saying that it was great to have something to show for his efforts.

"I felt that my dish tasted really good and the quinoa salad was praised by the judges, as they said it was very original and Nevin Maguire said that he had only started using quinoa himself in the past year," he said.

He explained that he put a lot of thought into his presentation, as he wanted it to look rustic and also reflect the take away elements.

Fergal said that the standard was very high, but when he presented his dish, he felt that everything had gone to plan and he had done his best no matter what the outcome was.

He thanked his teacher Laura Healy for all of her help, accompanying him to Sligo and for encouraging him to enter the competition in the first place. He added that he will definitely enter more competitions through the school and he is looking forward to the summer when he can tuck into his signed copy of Nevin Maguire's cook book and try to replicate some of his mouth watering delicacies.

Speaking to The Avondhu, Home Economics teacher Laura Healy said that they are all very proud of what Fergal has achieved.

"We are delighted to say that Fergal was announced as the silver placed winner, his dish greatly impressed all the judges and fellow contestants. Fergal won a €150 Amazon voucher and lots of equipment for the Home Economics room.

"He was a fantastic representative for Presentation Secondary School and did the Home Economics students, myself as his teacher and the school very proud. Well done Fergal," she said.

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