Second accolades for promising young chefs

TWO of the island's most promising up-and-coming chefs won top accolades from the College of Further Education yesterday. Christopher Webb said winning the national Young's Seafood Competition with fellow Sueco chef Marta Bell on Monday was the best day of his life.

Two days later he was crowned the college's apprentice of the year and said that topped it. Miss Bell was among five runners-up.

'Any of them could have won the award but Christopher came out top for his absolute enthusiasm. He is 100% into what he does and lives and breathes cooking. He is an outstanding chef,' said CFE principal Trevor Wakeford.

Mr Webb said: 'I can't believe the week I have had - it has just been manic and I am absolutely delighted.'

The 19-year-old said he loved his apprenticeship.

'I am learning as much as I can from the best chef in the island by far. The best thing about the catering trade is you never stop learning - there will always be new ideas and styles to discover.'

He was a runner-up in last year's awards.

His mentor, Sueco owner Paul Wilson, said he just kept getting better and better.

'His cooking is outstanding for someone so young. He is a perfect student and an even better chef,' he said.

'He is one of the most natural chefs I have ever come across but he still wants to learn more.'

Mr Webb and Miss Bell return to work today and will be preparing canapes for a 400-head function at Castle Cornet.

UK inspectors recently described the States registered apprenticeship scheme as the jewel in the crown of Guernsey's educational system.

The annual award has been running for the last six years.

Daniel Pinsard, of Ounsworth Decor, Ben Perree of R. H. Le Tissier, Stefan Moherndl, of Le Mont Saint Garage, and Graham Crawford of Island Panel Craft, Alderney, were also runners-up.

Mr Webb said he had wanted to be a chef for as long as he could remember.

'My mum always cooked wonderful food at home and from a young age I wanted to be able to do the same.'

He got his first taste of professional training during Year 10 at St Peter Port School when he attended a one-day-a-week link course at the CFE catering department.

'I was lucky to get some work experience at Sueco and was addicted from then on.'

He said he enjoyed the diversity of being able to cook so many varieties and styles of food but mentioned pastries and savoury sauces as particular favourites.

He that has big aspirations and said in 10 years' time he would like to own two restaurants and a patisserie cake shop in Guernsey.

'In the next few years I intend to spend some time off the island gaining experiences in some different kitchens and then I will come back to start my own business.'