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Tessa Clingham, aged 20, a final year student from Westminster
College, London has been crowned overall champion of the Major
Culinary Challenge, the nationwide search to find the most
accomplished young chef in the UK.
The Major Culinary Challenge and Mini Series of Display Classes are
organised each year by Major International in association with the
Craft Guild of Chefs and are open to chefs of varying skill level
from any type of foodservice operation. A range of live and static
display classes showcase pastry and restaurant skills, whilst the hot
live Culinary Challenge, in which contestants have just 60 minutes to
prepare and cook two main meat, poultry or fish dishes using Major
marinades really puts these young chefs to the test.
Originally from St Helena in the South Atlantic but living in London
for the past three years, Tessa impressed the judges with an exciting
combination of tantalising flavours from around the world. Tessa's
two fish dishes were: Almond and honey glazed salmon, served with
lemon and almond dressed oriental noodles with clams and brown
shrimps in a shellfish bisque using Major's Honey, Lemon and Mustard
Mari-Base. Dish two comprised: Monkfish wrapped in pancetta with
caramelised chicory, Duchesse potatoes, dried cherry tomatoes and
edaname beans in an orange beurre blanc, with a pancetta crisp using
Major's Hot Tomato Mari-Base.
"I guess growing up on St Helena, a remote island off south west
Africa has influenced my cooking style." Explains Tessa. "I
am a big fan of fusion cuisine and try to bring in complementary
flavours that really work well together. The Major marinades are
simple to use and make it easy to introduce some interesting new
flavours with the minimum of effort which is important when you are
pushed for time in the kitchen.
"I was at college at home in St Helena for two years before
coming to the UK to continue my education. I am absolutely thrilled
that five years of education has paid off for me. It will be a great
pleasure to include details of the Challenge on my CV as I will be
job hunting when my course finishes later this year. I am hoping that
winning the Challenge will help set me apart from other job hunters
and get me off to a good start in my chosen career."
According to Christopher Basten, vice chair of the Craft Guild of
Chefs and executive chef at the London Marriott Hotel at County Hall
"Tessa clinched the competition with two exciting, creative
dishes which were described by the judging panel as a explosion of
taste, texture and colour. Tessa had a level of skill way beyond her
young age. Tessa used the Major marinades in a creative way to inject
a burst of flavour and this made a real difference to the finished
dishes."
Following a series of 4 regional heats, held at catering colleges
around the UK, a short list of eight finalists were selected to
compete in the live cook off which was held at Hotelympia last month.
Tessa was presented with the Major Culinary Challenge trophy and
£1,000 CCS vouchers by Brian Eastment, development chef at Major International.
Christopher, who chaired the judging panel at the cook off,
continues: "We have been involved with the Major Culinary
Challenge for several years now and I can honestly say the standard
of work produced by these enthusiastic young chefs seems to get
better every year. The important thing about the Major Culinary
Challenge is that it provides an excellent training ground for young
chefs to develop their skills in a competitive environment, whilst
offering a launch platform to some of the bigger national and
international competitions. I am delighted to be involved with
something which has such a real benefit to upcoming new talent."
Brian Eastment, for Major concludes: "Tessa is a very deserving
winner. She worked quickly, with great skill and attention to detail
and made creating two stunning dishes in less than an hour look easy.
She ought to be very proud of herself and I wish her all the best for
the future."
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