Copper Saucepan competition launched for 2019

The search to find East Yorkshire’s best young chef was launched at Elwell’s training restaurant at East Riding College in Beverley this week.

Organised by the Hull and East Riding Hospitality Association and now in its thirteenth year, the Copper Saucepan competition seeks to discover the Apprentice Chef of the Year and culminates with a live final in the food theatre at Beverley Food Festival in October.  Entrants are asked to devise a three course menu featuring the best of local food, including local pork and sustainable fish.  Participants are selected for a cook-off at East Riding College in July, where the two finalists are chosen.

The competition is open to anyone currently working in the catering industry with four years or less experience. Applications are now open and an entry form is available on the HEYHA website (www.heyha.co.uk). Deadline for entries is June 3.

Launching this year’s competition, Paul Vinsen, chairman of the hospitality association (HEYHA), said: “This competition is designed to encourage and showcase the up-and-coming young talents of the industry. Catering has become a popular career choice, thanks to the power of television and the celebrities it creates, and now more than ever we are seeing some real talent coming through at a young age.”

The winner of the prestigious competition receives £350 and a trophy. The runner-up receives £150 and both finalists also get the chance to spend a day in the kitchens of the Michelin-starred Winteringham Fields restaurant alongside chef patron Colin McGurran, twice a winner on the Great British Menu television series.

Past winners of the Copper Saucepan trophy have gone on to work in some of the region’s finest restaurants. “With the competition going from strength to strength, we’re really hoping for a bumper entry,” said Mr Vinsen.

Last year’s winner was former East Riding College student Helen Mayoh from Beverley who works at AAK Ltd in food development.