Sam Holden, Young Chef of the Year runner-up with college lecturer, Alan Deegan.

Sam Holden, a catering student from Shipston-on-Stour, has finished as runner-up in the Young Chef of the Year competition this month.

Sam studies on the Advanced Culinary Diploma and thoroughly enjoyed the event, “It was an awe inspiring experience. Being up against chefs from the Dorchester and other top London establishments was a bit scary!”

Fifteen finalists aged 23 years and under took part in an adrenalin-fuelled cook-off at University College Birmingham's Molteni kitchens on Monday 1^st November. Competitors had to create a three course meal for two persons, incorporating a starter using Gurnard, main course using corn-fed chicken and a sweet to the competitor’s choice, excluding chocolate.

Alan Deegan, lecturer at the College commented, “Sam has done really well to get to the finals of this national competition. He was up against the cream of the industry and that it is a superb achievement.”

The British Culinary Federation’s Young Chef of the Year Award is one of three very successful competitions now organised by the Federation, including Chef of the Year and the Student Team Cook and Serve Challenge. The Young Chef of the Year Award is sponsored by Electrolux Professional and supported by Villeroy & Boch. The British Culinary Federation is a National Member of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies.

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