Sara Townley from Newtownards YFC has won the junior Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) annual home management competition which took place recently at the Southern Regional College, Newry.

Supported by Calor and the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, competitors from clubs throughout Northern Ireland had to prepare and cook a starter and main course using local pork and bacon and local produce within an allocated time.

The final was the culmination of this popular competition which saw over 450 members enter the first stage back in November 2013.

Finalists were given the opportunity to pick up advice and practical tips from top chef Sean Owens, as he supervised their progress. Northern Ireland’s leading gas supplier Calor provided the means for the members to heat, roast or bake their culinary delights.

In the junior section, competitors had to prepare a starter and then create a tex mex themed main course incorporating pork or bacon into the dishes. The junior members also had to create a social media advertising campaign to promote the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum and present this with their dishes.

Each of the senior finalists had to prepare and produce a starter and main course for two people, using exclusively local produce and include appropriate use of home produced pork or bacon and again Calor gas was the fuel of choice to cook their dishes. The competitors also had to bake soda bread and use either pork or bacon along with other ingredients of their choice to flavour the bread.

In the junior section the top place went to Sara Townley from Newtownards YFC with Rachel Rainey from Curragh YFC noted as highly commended.

In the senior section the top place and the Linda Currie Gallery Tray went to Rachael Frew, Glarryford YFC. Joy Dorman from Moneymore YFC and Zara Taylor from Lylehill YFC were both highly commended.

Pictured - Winner of the junior home management section Sara Townley from Newtownards YFC is pictured with judge and chef Sean Owens and Martyn Blair, YFCU President