The five finalists for the Euro-toques young chef of the year competition have been announced.
They are: John Fitzmaurice (26), head chef at Moloughney’s, Clontarf, Dublin; Ruth Lappin (22), chef de partie at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin 2; Conor Halpenny (20) chef de partie, Tankardstown House, Brabazon Restaurant, Co Meath; Robert Browne (21), a medical student in NUI Galway and chef-patron Loam Restaurant in Galway and Roseanne Meehan (24), junior sous chef, Knockranny House Hotel, Co Mayo.
The theme this year is “origins of contemporary Irish cooking”. The finalists will have to showcase their interpretation of this theme in their menus.
Euro-toques Ireland’s challenge for the chefs culminates on November 29th when the finalists will spend the morning doing a culinary skills test before preparing and serving food at a party at the Shelbourne Hotel, when the winner will be announced.
This year’s main prize includes a stage at Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant – Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London. Clare Smyth, an MBE and Northern Irish chef is Chef Patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and will be the special guest judge for the final of the competition.
Ms Smyth is the only woman chef to hold and retain three Michelin stars in the UK – one of only five women in the world to attain the accolade.
