North West Young Chef crowned

Chris Rawlinson, head chef at his own restaurant, The Red Cat in Whittle-Le-Woods, Chorley, beat four other young chefs in a sweltering cook-off at Manchester College to win the title of North West Young Chef of the Year.

As well as the coveted trophy, the 23-year-old won a two week bursary abroad at an internationally renowned restaurant with mentoring from an accomplished chef, a year's free membership with the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs, a luxury holiday for two and a set of Global chefs' knives.

The well deserved winner commented: "It's so fantastic, such a feeling, such a buzz. I may run my own restaurant and have been on a few stages at other restaurants, but to win North West young Chef of the Year is something else, really wonderful."

"It gives young chefs who might work under the radar the chance to stand up and say, 'I'm a chef in my own right', giving you the confidence to make your mark. There's a 14-year-old I'd like to take on at the moment who's got a certain something, and hopefully I can inspire him to make his mark too."

However Rawlinson still had his own challenges to overcome. "It's difficult because you are using equipment that is unfamiliar to you and cook a complete meal that would normally take four hours in two and a half hours. You are also only as good as the ingredients you are working with, so it's important to take time to get them right."

To win the title, Rawlinson was tasked with cooking up a winning three course meal for two alongside four other 18-25 year old finalists, using local North West produce costing up to £25.

He impressed judges with a starter of West Coast Scallops, new season beetroot, Formby asparagus, watercress and parmesan tuille, main of rack of Lonk lamb, spring cabbage, peas and carrots, rosemary puree and fondant potato, followed by 'coffee and toast' milk chocolate and pistachio mousse, coffee pannacotta, sugar tuille, nutmeg butter and marmalade for dessert.

Rawlinson waited seven years to make the North West Young Chef final, first entering at 16, and gave it his all against county winners from Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire in this week's (3 June) showdown.

The judging panel included British Masterchef Brian Mellor (Chef 'n' Farmer, Wirral), John Benson-Smith (North West Hospitality), Steven Doherty (chairman Ramsay Scholarship), and Nigel Crane (chef and managing director of sponsor, Essential Cuisine, based in Cheshire).

Words: Maria Bracken

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