Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Chef of the Year Competition 2010 winner announced

Thomas and the judges

Yesterday saw the 34th annual national final of The Chaîne International Young Chef of the Year Competition, held at the Gaggenau showroom in Central London.

The winner was announced as Thomas Spencerly aged 20 from Swinton Park, Masham, North Yorkshire, who cooks under head chef Simon Crannage. This was Thomas' first time competing individually since leaving culinary college.

From his unseen 'market basket' of ingredients, Thomas whipped up a three-course feast of pan seared trout with lemon marinated asparagus and courgette, black pudding stuffed loin of pork with pea puree, fondant potatoes and a red wine jus, and a vanilla infused pannacotta with lemon, lime and ginger jam.

Runner up was Dale Chamberlain from Lainston House, Winchester and third place was awarded to Daniel Morgan from Latymers, Bagshot.

Head judge Anthony Marshall, executive chef of the Hilton Park Lane and a previous Young Chef winner himself, said "it was extremely difficult to choose a winner and came down to a matter of two or three points between contestants. The standard was incredibly high for such young chefs."

The Chaîne is keen to encourage and celebrate young professional chefs who will set future standards within the industry. "From a consumer point of view these competitions ensure the maintenance and growth of standards which make the whole restaurant experience more enjoyable, and for the chefs they can use them to enhance their careers and aspire to greater things" said Philip Evins, head of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in the UK.

Words: Clare Riley

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