Carden Park chef takes Cheshire Young Chef Crown

Carden Park chef takes Cheshire Young Chef Crown
North West Young Chef of the Year

North West Young Chef of the Year

Standard Supplier 25th March 2015
North West Young Chef of the Year

Carden Park chef takes Cheshire Young Chef Crown

21 year old chef de partie Leo Deglane from Carden Park, has cooked his way to the finals of the North West Young Chef Competition 2015, and will now go forward to represent Cheshire.

The competition, sponsored by Essential Cuisine and CHR, looks for chefs under the age of 23 to cook a 3 course meal for 2 people featuring local and seasonal produce.

Leo, originally from France, said “this is my first cooking competition in England, and I feel great to have won.”

“Entering the competition was an important stepping stone in my career. I had lots of support and encouragement by my Executive Head Chef Graham Tinsley and the rest of the Carden Park team.”

Leo starterThe 2 and a half hour cook off took place at South Cheshire College on 24th March, as Leo faced stiff competition from 4 other regional chefs; Andrew Carlton from The Goshawk, Charlie McGowan from Chez Jules, Luke McMenamay from La Belle Epoque, and Nigel Hankey from Grill on the Square.

Leo’s winning starter was confit trout with nut brown butter sabayon, goat’s cheese mousse with gingerbread, leeks a la greque and pea salsa.

His main course was pan roasted breast of duck with leg cromesquis, black pudding and potato layer, broccoli stalks, squash and toasted quinoa.

He ended his regional and seasonal menu by creating Bramley apple charlotte with rhubarb fool.

The judges on the day were chairman of Judges Brian Mellor, Managing Director of Essential Cuisine Nigel Crane, and Director and Group Executive Chef of The Peach Tree, Chris Burt.

Leo will now go on to attend a master class with an acclaimed chef to hone skills with the industry’s best, before going on to compete against the other regional winners in the final of North West Young Chef Competition, which will be held at Manchester College on 7th May 2015.

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