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Tasty treat for charity thanks to culinary challenge

08 April 2008

Chefs battle it out for top title

The cream of the region’s culinary masters will be cooking up a storm next month as they battle it out for the title of North East Chef of the Year . The competition, run by the North East Culinary Trade Association (Necta), is now in its third year .
And it will end with a delicious dinner, with all proceeds donated to the Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund.
Two days of cooking challenges will culminate in the preparation of a three-course meal.
Douglas Jordan, of Jordan’s Restaurant in Ryton, Gateshead, is heading the judging panel.
“The chefs will use produce sourced from the region,” he said. “This year the main ingredients are scallops, lamb and apples. The chefs will also be given a box of surprise ingredients on the day.”
The judges will be looking for modern, original cooking with points for creativity, balance of ingredients, hygiene, presentation and, most importantly, taste.
“Cookery has changed a lot over the last five years and we are looking for chefs who are in touch with modern cooking,” he added. “We’re looking for new ideas.
“The standard of cooking in the region at the moment is better than ever. It’s superb.
“Now that we have a good, steady team of chefs in the local area, we can compete on a national level. I intend to take them to national competitions and we’ll be taking the North East flag with us, showing off our local produce.”
Last year ’s North East Chef of the Year was David Kennedy, executive chef at Black Door Restaurant and Brasserie Black Door in Newcastle.
He created a masterpiece using salmon for the starter, lamb for mains, and pears for dessert.
His efforts scooped him a stint cooking on the QE2 as well as the much-coveted claim to being the North East’s most talented cook.
The Chef of the Year contest will be just part of an exciting couple of days for foodies at the Marriott Gosforth Park on May 21 and 22.
The event is open to the public at a charge of £1 a head.
Visitors can expect a farmers’ market, cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions. There will also be a display from sugar-worker Colin Martin, who makes beautiful objects such as peacocks and flowers. A charity dinner will end the event, with table donations and proceeds from the raffle going to the Sunshine Fund.
The charity raises money to provide equipment that helps improve the lives of children living with disabilities or serious illness.
Last year , a tasty £2,400 was raised at the Necta event, but organiser Richard Simms wants to do better.
He said: “We would like as many people as possible to get involved and we would really like to beat our total raised last year !”
This year , for the first time amateurs will have their chance to wow the judges.
The CheFactor will invite amateur chefs in the region hungry to take their cooking to the next level to produce a two-course meal.
For more information about the event, call Richard Simms on (0191) 26

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