Sussex chefs to compete in cook-off

Six chefs in Sussex aged 25 or under have been selected to compete in a MasterChef-style cook-off later this month.
From left: Malcolm Emery and David Mulcahy. Photograph: Southern News & PicturesFrom left: Malcolm Emery and David Mulcahy. Photograph: Southern News & Pictures
From left: Malcolm Emery and David Mulcahy. Photograph: Southern News & Pictures

The contest will decide who wins the title of young chef of the year in the 2017 Sussex Food and Drink Awards.

It will take place at the Amex Stadium, in Falmer, on October 27.

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Representing West Sussex is Rachel Burroughs, 22, from South Lodge Hotel in Lower Beeding; Adam Sear, 23, from The Fox Eating and Drinking House in West Hoathly; and Anna Shopland, 23, from The Fountain Inn in Ashurst.

Flying the flag for East Sussex is Jose Ferreira, 25, from The Sussex Ox in Polegate; Michael Sutherland, 23, from The Star Inn in Alfriston, who was a finalist last year; and Mark Smith, 25, from The Ginger Pig in Brighton.

The candidates, who were nominated by the public and then shortlisted by a panel of judges, will have 90 minutes to create a three-course menu using local and seasonal ingredients.

Malcolm Emery, principal chef, and David Mulcahy, craft and food development director, of Sodexo Prestige, which is sponsoring the award category, will head up the judging panel. Joining them for the first time will be Great British Menu champion Matt Gillan.

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Mr Emery said: “The cook-off is a really tough test for all these talented young men and women and they really have to deliver under pressure.

“The nominations we have received this year are extremely impressive and the taste, presentation, creativity, saleability, sourcing of ingredients and consumer appeal of their menus will all be carefully considered by the judges.”

The winners and runners-up of all 10 categories of the Sussex Food and Drink Awards will receive their trophies at a ceremony hosted by Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, OBE, patron of the awards, and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex at the Amex Stadium on February 1.

For more details, visit www.sussexfoodawards.biz

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