Karratha High School student Casandra Somerville competes in WorldSkills commercial cookery competition

A Karratha high school student will prove she can handle the heat in the kitchen when she takes part in a nationwide cooking competition to show off her culinary skills. Year 11 Karratha Senior High School student Casandra Somerville flew to Perth this week to take part in the three day WorldSkills commercial cookery competition. The nationwide contest saw competitors from each state compete virtually because of COVID-19 outbreaks. Ms Somerville, who is studying a Certificate II in Hospitality, cooked a three-course meal including spring rolls and stuffed chicken. Ms Somerville said she took part in the contest to challenge herself and take advantage of as many opportunities as she could. “I'm really interested into a large range of cooking. So not just like a specific type of cuisine, I really enjoy all forms,” she said. She said she was excited to meet the other students taking part. “Seeing their interpretation of the dish, and how they decide to cook. I'm really looking forward to the presentation, how unique they look and what garnishes other students use,” she said. The cooking star said she had to design her recipes around a set list of ingredients and experiment with different flavours. She said it meant some ingredients including herbs and spices were limited. “I did some training with the head chef at North West Brewery and we went through a lot of different techniques with herbs and spices and roasting them from the seed and the dried spice, because it really changes it up,” Ms Somerville said. “And I wanted to use the whole herbs and spices before they're ground or dried , to really freshen up and really experience it instead of having a normal powder.”