Young chefs to compete in best Wales cook off

Six young chefs have been selected to compete in the Young Welsh Chef of the Year challenge in Cardiff next week.

The winner will not only receive the best young chef in Wales title but will also win an all expenses paid trip to compete in Chile

Set to do battle in the kitchen are Joseph Jones from The Great House Hotel, Bridgend, Jonathan Goodman from Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, Tom Middleton from Hotel Maes y Neuadd, Talsarnau, Harlech, Phil Clarke from the Armless Dragon Restaurant, Cardiff, David Szanto from The Chandlery Restaurant, Newport and Andrew Sheridan from The Groes Inn Hotel, Conwy.

The finalists were selected by a judging panel from their entry and creative menu. Each chef, who is under the age of 22, had to submit a menu for a three course dinner for four people, using Welsh Lamb, beef or pork and a selection of True Taste award winning products.

In the final, on Wednesday (November 19), at the Glamorgan Cricket's SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff, the chefs will have three hours to produce their three course meal for four, watched by an audience of cooking enthusiasts.

The winner will be awarded an all expenses paid trip to Chile to compete at the World Association of Chefs' Societies' Junior Forum in January, 2010. He will also win the coveted trophy and have an opportunity to recreate the winning menu for 150 guests at a Welsh International Culinary Championships presentation dinner in Llandudno in February 2009.

The contest will be held on the first day of the Welsh Chefs Conference, which also includes Skills Competition Wales heats to identify future representatives for World Skills competition. The second day of the conference focuses on chef and butchery demonstrations and talks by leading chefs.

The competition is organised every two years by the Welsh Culinary Association (WCA), and is sponsored jointly by Welsh Assembly Government to promote the food and drink industry brand 'True Taste', Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales, the Applied Ability Awards and World Skills Wales.

Words: Maria Bracken

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