Chef Graduate Wins 'Young Chef Of The Year'

We were thrilled to hear that Harry Blade, one of our Chef Graduates and a talented chef cooking at the Grand Hotel in York, has won the Delifresh Young Chef of the Year 2022 competition.

The competition, which started earlier this year, saw around 75 entries from young chefs across the north, all under the age of 23 years old.

Following various regional heats across Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle, the contestants were then whittled down to nine talented finalists. It was then, that they would come together to cook two creative dishes of their choice, before facing the verdict of a panel of five nationally renowned, professional chefs: Pierre Koffmann, Terry Laybourne, Stephanie Moon, Aidan Byrne and Andrew Pern. 

Speaking before the competition, finalist Harry Blade said “It would mean a great deal, obviously with the hard work that’s been put in. I’ve had the last three days off but I’ve been in every day and was up at 1am last night with Ahmed cooking Ducks at the hotel.” Harry continued: “It would mean a lot to my family as well, and that would mean a lot to me, to make them proud.”

And proud he soon made them as Harry wowed the panel of judges with his two dishes and was later announced the winner of the Young Chef Of The Year title.

The first of Harry’s winning dishes consisted of a roasted duck breast with a duck confit foie gras bonbon, celeriac purée, red cabbage and apple gel, drizzled in a rich, duck jus. The second dish featured chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet, and chocolate tuile finished with a chocolate and Szechuan crumb, gold leaf and raspberries. 

Commenting on his journey towards this success, Harry said “Attending Ashburton Chefs Academy in Devon during the time when a lot of the hospitality industry was shut down because of Covid restrictions was one of the best decisions of my life as it gave me the confidence to progress my career into fine dining.

Harry completed his Diploma in Culinary Arts in December 2020 before joining The Grand in York.

When asked on his advice to all the talented finalists in the competition, world-renowned Chef and competition judge, Pierre Koffmann said: “I say you have to carry on working hard you know, most importantly you have to cook the food you want to eat. You don’t try to do something to copy a famous chef. If you don’t like it, don’t do it. You’ve got to cook with your heart.”

The whole team at the Ashburton Chefs Academy wishes Harry congratulations on his win and performing so well under pressure.

Delifresh is encouraging young, aspiring chefs to sign themselves up for the next competition in 2023.

For the latest updates, please visit the delifresh website.