This week Taste of Staffordshire has launched its annual search to find the county’s best foodie talent: the Masterchef and Young Chef of Tomorrow competition.
The Staffordshire Masterchef judges are searching the county for the best professional chef. Contestants must be over 21 and employed in the catering industry and will have a chance to win £700! As well as the best professional chefs, Taste of Staffordshire is also searching for the county’s ‘Young Chef of Tomorrow’. This contest gives budding chefs between the ages of 16-21 the chance to win £250 and a once-in-a-lifetime weeks work placement at a Michelin-star restaurant! Both winners will also receive annual membership of the British Culinary Federation and a commemorative silver salver.
Applicants will need to submit a three course menu within a budget of £20 using seasonal Staffordshire ingredients. The best menus will then be shortlisted and the finalists will take part in a live cook-off.
The official launch ceremony took place on Monday at Staffordshire College and saw finalists from last year’s competition showcase their culinary skills in a cook-off which celebrated the famous Staffordshire oatcake.
The talented group wowed the judges with an array of unique sweet and savoury fillings for the popular Staffordshire snack, kindly provided by Foley Oatcakes located in Fenton.
Sean Sleigh from Burton & South Derbyshire College, Burton upon Trent, particularly impressed the judges with his Arnold Benet inspired dish- topping the oatcakes with creamy smoked haddock. His sweet dish was equally as impressive, sprinkling fresh banana over stacked oatcakes spread with smooth chocolate Nutella.
If you fancy showcasing your culinary talents you can request an application form by contacting Jo Lloyd on 01785 277 397 or email jo.lloyd@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Be sure to get your entries in before the deadline in mid March!
For more information visit http://www.tasteofstaffordshire.com.
*images accredited to John Thorne
enjoy staffs 