Students from schools in Algoz and Armacão de Pêra prepared their first practice meals for the judges and dispite their obvious nerves, they coped well and provided a very good level of service.  The simple menus were well chosen and the quality of the food was good.  The judges provide valuable feedback for the teams during these practice sessions which are taking place before the start of the competition early next year.  The teams of 5 are made up of 3 chefs and 2 servers and across the 4 schools that have entered this year there will be approximately 13 teams in all.  The finalists will cook in the Conrad Hotel kitchen at the end of March.