A 21 year old chef from Cartmel is preparing for the final of the North West Young Chef Competition after winning the Cumbria Heat 2014.
Sam Nash from L’Enclume took part in the two and a half hour cook off at Kendal College on 23rd April 2014, where he prepared his 3 course meal, as part of the competition sponsored by Essential Cuisine.
Sam’s starter was trout grilled over spruce, asparagus mousse with apple & rye crisp. He followed with his main of roasted lamb short loin and sweetbread with foraged mushrooms and caramelized cauliflower.
Sam completed his winning menu with a sweet cicely mousse with shortbread, rhubarb compote and yogurt tuile.
On winning, Sam said he was extremely happy and proud of himself. “I wanted to enter the competition last year but I didn’t feel confident enough. This year, I felt ready and self-assured so I went for it and I’m so glad I did.”
Sam was supported in his entry from his Head Chef Mark and Sous Chef Tom, who encouraged him to enter and gave him feedback on his menu leading up to the cook off.
On planning his menu, Sam sought inspiration from his company ethos of foraging, and invested a lot of time exploring the farm and the local area.
Sam faced tough competition on the day from Arthur Quinn from The Punchbowl Inn, Gareth Hodgson from Lakes College, and Oscar Thompson from Sella Park Hotel.
Sponsored by Essential Cuisine and CHR Foodservice Equipment, the competition which is in its 12th year was also supported at the Cumbria heat by Woodalls Charcuterie who’s representative James Crease joined us for the cook off, and awarded all the finalists with a bag filled with their air dried ham and slate, with the winner additionally receiving a specialist carving knife.
Judges on the day were Chairman of Judges Brian Mellor, Essential Cuisine’s Manufacturing Business Account Controller Phil Leech, and Stanley House Hotel’s Executive Head Chef Steve Williams.
Sam 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 18th June 2014.
