A 20 year-old Lancastrian chef has been crowned as the best in the North West, cooking up a storm to take Essential Cuisine’s 2014 ‘North West Young Chef’ crown.
Danny Young from Accrington, a chef at Nigel Haworth’s reputed Northcote Manor, described himself as “Overwhelmed” to hold off strong competition from five other regional finalists in a tense, two and a half hour cook off held at Manchester College on 18th June.
Tasked with a brief of keeping it local and seasonal, the young charge’s winning three-course menu consisted of Formby Asparagus, Poached Bowlands Forrest Free Range Egg & Hollandaise to start; Wheat-fed Goosnargh Guinea fowl, Leg Kiev, Scorched Baby Gem, Summer Pods & Parsley Shoots as a main and Hesketh Bank Strawberries, Simpsons Organic Cream & Northcote’s Garden Mint for dessert.
On the win Danny said: “My regional heat was at the start of April, so it’s been a long time waiting – I was nervous coming into the competition but prepared for the finals by putting in the practice and getting my brigade to taste the dishes – I’d like to thank the whole team and head chef Lisa Allen for their patience and support.”
The judging panel, consisting of chairman Brian Mellor, Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine, Steven Doherty, chef consultant, Chris Holland, Head Chef at Alderley Edge Hotel and contestant on Great British Menu and Graham Tinsley MBE, Head Chef at Carden Park Hotel, was unanimous that Danny’s menu was “well researched, and sublimely constructed”
Speaking about the winner and the standard of competition, Nigel Crane said: “Congratulations to Danny – he really challenged himself to produce three outstanding plates of food, timed to perfection and on-brief. The standard on show from every finalist this year has been fantastic and proof – if proof were needed – that young cooking talent is alive and well in our heartland of the North West.”
Steven Doherty, chef consultant and judge added “it’s inspiring to see such good young talent; it bodes well for the future of the industry.”
The competitors in full:
- Daniel Young, Lancashire – Northcote Manor (Winner)
- Sam Nash, Cumbria – L’Enclume (Runner-up)
- Cara Maguire, Flintshire – The Tavern
- Steven Halligan, Greater Manchester – Room Restaurant
- Daniel Heffy, Merseyside – The Arts School
- Ben Costello, Cheshire – The Chester Grosvenor
Danny will now go on to represent the North West in a semi-final of the Young National Chef of the Year Competition.
Essential Cuisine’s North West Young Chef Competition invites young chefs under the age of 23 from Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Flintshire to compete against each other in a two and a half hour cook off to produce a three course meal for two people featuring local and seasonal produce.
For more information on the 2015 competition, call Lucy on 01606 541490 or visit www.essentialcuisine.com. There is also a Facebook page and you can follow the competition on Twitter (@NWYoungChefComp).