Young Lancashire Pastry Chef Tastes Sweet Success

Cameron Norris from Stanley House Hotel and Spa has cooked his way to become Lancashire Young Chef of the Year 2015 during a fierce cook off on 16th April at Preston College.

The 21 year old Pastry Chef de Partie faced tough competition from the region’s talented young chefs; Matthew Lees from The Highwayman, Liam Anderson from Freemasons at Wiswell, Daniel Caldwell from The Blackbull Inn, Christian Richardson from Eagle and Child, and Brad Scrace from Northcote Manor.

“This was my first competition, and I’ve put in so much hard work. I was in the kitchen til the early hours this morning, so I was cooking on just 2 hours sleep” said the Lancashire Young Chef of the Year.

“Stanley House have been brilliant in supporting me. I was given loads of encouragement by my Exec Chef Steve Williams, but especially by Lewis Gallagher, my Head Pastry Chef, who won the whole competition back in 2012. It was great to hear his experiences and get his feedback on my dishes.”

Cameron’s starter was hand dived king scallop, with an unusual twist of cauliflower risotto and bhaji.

His main course was Goosnargh duck, smoked beetroot, gnocchi and polenta, which the judges thought had good flavour combinations.

Cameron DessertCameron completed his winning menu with a delicate dessert of yoghurt pannacotta, rhubarb, and honey, taken from a bee hive which he adopted especially for the purpose of knowing where his ingredients have come from.

The judges on the day were chairman of Judges Brian Mellor, Managing Director of Essential Cuisine Nigel Crane, and Contract Catering Chef Andy Wardle.

The North West Young Chef Competition, sponsored by Essential Cuisine and CHR, looks for chefs under the age of 23 to cook a 3 course meal for 2 people during a 2 and a half hour cook off featuring local and seasonal produce.

Cameron 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.

For more information or photography from the North West Young Chef Competition, please contact Lucy from Essential Cuisine on 01606 541490 or email [email protected]

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