Jordan Elliott (18) from Codnor, has been named as the Young chef of the Year at the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.
Jordan, who is a level 2 catering student at Chesterfield College, received his award, which was sponsored by the Crooked Spire Church, at a glittering ceremony hosted by celebrity chef and couture cake maker to royalty and the stars, Mich Turner.
Speaking at the awards Mich Turner said: “There is clearly a cornucopia of food talent in Chesterfield, and the Food and Drink Awards brought us a banquet! I was thrilled to see the emerging taskforce in the town’s food and drink sector actively involved in the awards ceremony as well as those who have established family businesses. What a wonderful awards ceremony – an inspiration and celebration of the past, present and future.”
Organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, more than 50 hospitality students prepared and served the food on the evening for 250 guests at the event which, once again, was a complete sell-out. Last year Jordan was one of the students to serve at the awards.
Jordan said: “It feels unbelievable to win. I can’t believe that I’ve won. The course has been everything to me. I’ve always liked cooking. Eventually I’d like to own my own restaurant.”
He was one of three students competing for the prestigious title. As part of the judging process he had to take part in a live cook off alongside two other students from the college, preparing a two course meal for three of the town’s top chefs. He prepared roast rump of lamb and baby lettuce followed by strawberry and black pepper sponge cake for the judges.
He is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner of the Young Chef of the Year award, James Greatorex who has recently joined Heston Blumenthal’s 3-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck.
Jordan was one of 14 food and drink establishments, producers and individuals announced at the town’s fourth annual Food and Drink Awards, which were held on Wednesday 26 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building. Cocina at Casa Hotel took the top title of Restaurant of the Year in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards for the second year running.
Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “The Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the talent and commitment that goes into making our local gastronomic industry great. Every year this celebration helps us to inspire our catering and hospitality students and apprentices to become future award winners. Their involvement in competing for young chef of the year or cooking and serving guests at the event allows them to showcase what they are capable of to the best employers in the area.”
As well as Jordan, the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards were named as:
Restaurant of the Year –sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Cocina at Casa Hotel
Café and Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Stephenson’s Coffee House
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
Red Lion Bar and Bistro at Peak Edge Hotel
Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Rose and Crown – Brampton
Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
The Lilypad Café
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Best Out of Town – presented by Chesterfield College
Stones Restaurant, Matlock
Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Casa Hotel
Teresa Lambarelli
Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by The Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints
Jordan Elliott
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Delhi 41
Family Friendly – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesters Restaurant and Takeaway
Conference and Banqueting – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Casa Hotel
Food Hero – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
Simon Davidson of R P Davidson Cheese Factor
Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.
For more information about the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards.
