Cooking is an everyday activity for many, but yesterday it was turned into a challenge for groups of scouts.

The 23 troops from all over the island went back to basics and prepared a three-course meal on an open fire without using cooking utensils such as pots and pans.

Chef Martin Camilleri said some of the scouts - whose ages ranged between 12 and 15 years - had a passion for cooking and would probably go on to catering school later on.

Each group of scouts was given the same ingredients, including fish, chicken, fruit and vegetables and marshmallows, and was asked to prepare the three-course meal in around three hours.

Scout group spokesman Mario Calleja said the scouts had to cook their meals in aluminium foil and on an open fire, which the boys had to prepare. Innovative "ovens" and "cookers" were created by the scouts to be able to cook their meal.

Aptly named National Backwoods Cooking Competition, the activity took place at the Ghajn Tuffieha scout centre, and preparations for it had been ongoing for almost two months.

Four chefs acted as judges and scored on scouting skills, the food's presentation and obviously the taste.

Mr Calleja said the scouts were given the possibility to present each dish when it was finished, although they had to follow a sequence and present the dishes in order.

In the end, the scouts from St Michael's School took first position for their efforts. They were followed by Stella Maris, the Hamrun group and the Sliema group.

Mr Calleja said the aim behind the event was for young people to experience healthy cooking.

After having laboriously prepared their meal, the scouts tucked into their own creations.

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