News

Dungannon is to welcome the UK's best young chefs for the final of the Robbie Millar Scholarship.

Eight of Britain and Ireland's finest young chefs have been shortlisted to compete in the final of the Robbie Millar Scholarship.

They are Ben Arnold - Westminster, Kingsway College, London
David Scott - SHU Restaurant, Belfast
Rose Greene - The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Alexander Greene - (SRC) Deanes Restaurant, Belfast
Michael Eminson, - Northcote Manor, Lancashire
Thomas Parker - Northcote Manor, Lancashire
Richard McKee - Restaurant 23, Warrenpoint
Danielle Barry - Restaurant 23, Warrenpoint

The eight chefs will go on to compete in the scholarship final at the South West College of Further and Higher Education in Dungannon on 8th April. On the day they will need to think on their feet as they cook a three-course menu form a basket of mystery ingredients and match accompanying wines.

Entries were shortlisted in a blind judging process by a panel including Paul Rankin, Michael Deane, Noel McMeel, Jane Boyce, Dr Paul Megarity, Robert McDonald and James Nicholson.

Paul Rankin told the Courier: "We have received a fantastic response to the competition; all the entries were of the highest standard which make the judging a very difficult task indeed. Robbie was very much the extra judge on the day, as we looked for menus that would have caught his eye. I'm sure he would be thrilled at the quality of the young chefs set to take part in the final.

Set up in 2007 the inaugural Robbie Millar Scholarship was won by Chris McClurg from Shu Restaurant in Belfast. As part of his prize, he had the opportunity to work with some of the world's finest food and wine experts including Château Vignelaure en Provence, Valrhona Chocolate in Tain L'Hermitage and Richard Corrigan's Lindsey House in London.

This year the scholarship will present another series of life changing opportunities for one lucky chef.

Award winning County Down wine merchant James Nicholson, stated: "This is a great opportunity for our eight finalists to compete in a world class competition and meet dome of Britain and Ireland's finest food and wine experts.

"Finalists stand to win, amongst other prizes, a perpetual sculpture designed by Ross Wilson; a stage at the famous River Café in London, a stage with Valrhona Chocolate in Tain L'Hermitage, a stage with Illy Coffee Italy and a magnum of Billecart-Salmon NV.

"The training on offer and the constant support from the finest chefs and wine producers puts this scholarship in a league of its own.

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday, 26 March 2008