At the start of the new millennium, following the BSE crisis and then the subsequent outbreak of foot and mouth the farming community once again was facing challenging times. Brian was approached by the then Regional food body to help raise the profile of locally produced artisan foods from Englands North West.
Already at the forefront of the emerging Food Festival scene, Brian was regularly to be found cooking at shows showcasing the produce, but during discussions a new idea unfolded. We would unite the skills and traditions of our local producers with the skills and innovation of our emerging young chefs.
The North West Young Chef of the Year was born in 2002. Every spring chefs from the five counties come together to pitch their skills against their peers, battling it out to cook in the final and represent the North West in the National final.
Thousands of new dishes later, hundreds of talented young chefs have tested and enhanced their skills through the competition.
Along the way they have formed friendships with their peers, bonds with their mentors, guidance from leading Chefs and knowledge from the whole process. If you are a Young Chef or know a Young Chef who would relish the challenge please go to www.essentialcuisine.com/chef-life/north-west-young-chef/