Trainee chef has recipe for success

MASTER chefs . . . Danielle Heron, from Bacup, and Chelsea Taylor, from Oldham, receive their award

A TRAINEE from Oldham has scooped a job with a top chef after winning the title of Lancashire Young Student Chef of the Year 2011.

Eighteen-year-old Chelsea Taylor accepted a job offer from chef patron Nigel Smith at The Villa country house hotel restaurant in Wrea Green, Preston, Lancashire, following her success in the competition.

Fellow trainee Danielle Heron (19), from Bacup, who assisted Chelsea, was also offered a position at his restaurant.

The pair are studying at Manchester College’s Moston Campus. They made such a great impression on chef judge Mr Smith that he was keen to sign them up.

Chelsea’s winning menu was chosen for its use of local and regional ingredients, including a starter of Port of Lancaster smoked haddock with Lytham shrimp risotto, mace cloud and baby chard followed by a main course of Trough of Bowland lamb with fondant, young leeks, carrot, Dolphinholme goats cheese bon bon and jus.

Chelsea, who currently works at Ramsoms restaurant in Ramsbottom as well as studying, said: “It was a really brilliant experience, I enjoyed it and I didn’t feel under too much pressure.

“My tutors were a great help and I am really looking forward to starting my new job at The Villa.

Chelsea and Danielle will be working as a team competing in the national final of the UK Young Seafood Chef of the Year 2011 in Grimsby on Friday, May 20, after winning the regional finals.

Andrew Macleod, chef tutor at The Manchester College, said: “This is a fantastic achievement, not only for the students, but for the whole hospitality and catering department at the college.”