Lymm chef Jenny Thoden is one of the UK’s best

Lymm chef Jenny Thoden is one of the best in Britain – according to judges for the country’s ‘Young Chef of the Year’ award.

For Jenny was just one point away from the top title. The 25 year-old Finnish-born chef, from Aiden Byrne's Church Green gastro pub in Lymm, fought off competitors from two and three-star Michelin restaurants to take a close second place in the British Hospitality Association awards.

"It was an amazing feeling when the results were announced," says Jenny. "I didn't expect to get so far against talented competition from such highly rated restaurants - but four years working with Alden Byrne has taught me a lot."

Jenny settled in Lymm when she came with Aiden, from the Dorchester Grill in London, to open the Church Green earlier this year. She moved to England six years ago after finishing her college training at Helsinki and started working for the TV chef at his Danesfield House restaurant in Buckinghamshire.

They have been together ever since and Jenny will be transferring when Aiden launches his fine dining restaurant – the new White House at Prestbury.

"His food and style of cooking is very different and I've learned so much," says Jenny who is sous chef at the Church Green and boyfriend Stewart Warner is head chef. They have "climbed the ladder together" since both joining Aiden at Danesfield House.

Jenny was one of eight finalists at the BHA's annual competition to find the UK's best young chefs and waiters. Her three course meal, prepared in three and a half hours, began with an innovative butternut squash and chorizo soup with pan fried red mullet and pickled baby squid. The main course - braised belly of lamb with mashed potato and glazed onions - was followed by a lemon posset dessert with red wine poached figs.

It placed Jenny just one point behind Rose Greene from Cheltenham's Michelin 2-star 'Le Champignon Sauvage' and won a second prize that includes £1,000 and a gourmet break at Devon's luxury Lewtrenchard Manor hotel.

"Jenny thoroughly deserves her success," says Aiden Byrne, who was only 22 when he became the UK's youngest Michelin star chef. "The Church Green is the first restaurant of my own and a major contribution to its success has come from having her and Stewart on my dream team."

Words: Clare Riley

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