Andrew Carey
andrew@limerickpost.ie
THE culinary conversation got colourful as some of Ireland’s leading chefs Ross Lewis, Kevin Thornton, Paul Kelly and Wade Murphy joined forces to launch the search for Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2013. The theme of this year’s prestigious competition is “Food Memories: Your Interpretation?”.
Now in its 23rd year, the competition is calling out to all young chefs in Limerick, of any background, aged between 18-26 to enter the competition at www.youngchef.ie.
Closing date for the online entries is September 23rd.
Euro-Toques are looking for three simple winning ingredients when it comes to selecting successful candidates for Young Chef of the Year – talent, enthusiasm and a passion for Irish food and heritage. Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2013 in association with Fáilte Ireland is looking to identify young talents who have the potential to represent and define the Irish culinary scene, drawing from our land, traditions and culinary heritage.
The theme for the 2013 competition is ‘Food Memories: Your Interpretation?’ and it will be carried right through to the final event; where the young chefs will use the past as an inspiration for the future, in order to create contemporary dishes that reflect re-imaginings of flavours, ingredients and presentation.
The culinary competition will conclude on November 24th when the Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2013 will be announced at an exclusive event in Dublin by a prestigious judging panel, which will include prominent Irish chefs and guest judges.
Speaking at the launch Wade Murphy, President Euro-Toques Ireland and Chef/Proprietor 1826 Adare said,” This is definitely one of our Euro-Toques’ most important campaigns. The Young Chef of the Year competition gives us the chance to meet with thefuture of Irish cooking. We aim to seek out young chefs that look and thinkbeyond the kitchen and take pride in working with locally sourced ingredients. What’s important to us as an organisation is that the chefs should stand by Euro-Toques core principles of local and seasonal sourcing, protecting our traditions and culinary heritage.”
Helen McDaid, Fáilte Ireland’s Food Manager, commented, “Fáilte Ireland is delighted to work with Euro-Toques Ireland and their Young Chef of the Year Competition. Ireland is currently undergoing aculinary revolution and we need to ensure our young culinary talents and food tourism reputation become as recognised and valued as our produce. It is also crucial that we harness the potential of those young chefs who are championing true food tourism values such as local and seasonal sourcing, culinary heritage, and the best use of food to really create an authentic Irish experience.”
Also joining the conversation at the launch today was Ciaran Elliott, Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2012 who commented,” Last year’s competition was the highlight of my career so far. I got to meet so many influential mentors during each stage and it was the perfect opportunity for me to develop my skills further while promoting Irish cooking with Failte Ireland and Euro-Toques.”
For more information on the competition and online entry form log onto www.youngchef.ie
