Finalists for Euro-Toques Announced

The Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year competition presented by La Rousse Foods have just announced the final six chefs that will continue onto the final in November. 

Following a skills test held in September judges Graham Neville, Gareth Mullins, and Domini Kemp along with guest judge Danni Barry decided on the six young talents that will now progress onto the next stage of the competitive adventure. 

Progressing through to the final this year are:

 Daniel Guerin (24), chef de partie at Campagne, Kilkenny

Conor Halpenny (23), chef de partie at Chapter One, Dublin

Jack Lenards (21), chef de partie at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin

Jason Nolan (22) chef de partie at Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa, Killarney

Bronagh Rogers (24) chef de partie at Viewmount House 

Evan O’Ceallaigh (21) chef de partie at Ardilaun Hotel, Galway

The Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year competition is Ireland’s premier culinary competition celebrating Ireland’s best emerging culinary talent. Open to professional chefs under the age of 26, the competition has a proven track record in discovering the finest young talent with former winners including Mark Moriarty who progressed to win the World San Pellegrino Young Chef Competition in 2015.

The six Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year finalists are now requested to devise two dishes, one sweet and one savoury, inspired by this year’s contest theme ‘Back to basics – old-school cooking’. Finalists are expected to use their creativity and demonstrate their culinary skills, focusing on basic, simple techniques – old-school cooking that provides the fundamentals and solid foundation of any cuisine. They will also spend a day meeting producers whose produce will be used in the competition finals including Dundrum Dexter Beef, Highbank Orchard and Ballymakenny Potatoes.  

The six finalists will then be flown to Italy for a unique lunch experience at the three Michelin starred Da Vittorio, Bergamo – before taking part in the competition finals in Cooks Academy followed by gala dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin on 19th November.

Euro-Toques Ireland has increasingly focused on education and, together with presenting partner La Rousse Foods, has developed a programme for this year’s competition which includes workshops, demos, visits to suppliers and culinary activities that aim to mentor and develop the exciting new Irish culinary talent participating in Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year. 

Judges for the final include special guest judges Richard Corrigan and Danni Barry along with Graham Neville, Gareth Mullins, Wade Murphy and Paul Kelly. 

This year the Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2017 will take home a specially designed trophy by Kevin Thornton entitled Time, Temperature, Control and will win an expenses paid stage at Corrigan’s Mayfair. 

Best of luck to all the finalists.