Young chef's salon win

A JUNIOR chef took top honours at Alderney's Salon Culinaire for the second year in succession.

A host of local chefs took part in the event but it was 11-year-old Daniel Fielding who claimed victory thanks to his tasty-looking chocolate roulade.

Daniel's dish, which wowed two judges from Guernsey, won him the title of most promising junior chef and the coveted prize of best in show. The St Anne's School pupil also received a gold medal for his efforts, three certificates and the Aurigny Trophy, as well as a £50 voucher for Le Cocq's, a £40 voucher for the Computer Shop, a cookery book and a bottle of gin (which was given to his mum and dad).

Daniel said: 'I feel really proud to have won Salon Culinaire. I've practised making chocolate roulade quite a lot since I made it for the first time on my birthday in January.

'I liked it so much I thought it would be a good recipe to enter.'

Daniel also enjoys cooking for his family: 'I cook a dessert every night when I get home from school.

'Sometimes I get help from my mum but most of the time it is all my own work.'

The salon was judged by Steve Bacon, head of Guernsey's College of Further Education catering department, and his colleague Paul Whitelaw.

Mr Bacon heaped praise on Daniel's dish.

He said: 'Daniel's chocolate roulade was outstanding. It proves he has a lot of promise and potential and I hope he'll enter the salon every year from now on.'

Local chefs should be proud of their achievements, he said.

'Alderney has got something to be proud of and I would like this to grow.

We have been coming here for the last 14 years and I hope we continue to come here in the future.

'I would like to thank all the competitors for taking part because without them we wouldn't have a salon.'

A number of other islanders also received prizes. Old Barn chef Matthew Watt won a return trip for two to Guernsey and a bottle of Champagne after being named the most accomplished senior chef. He also received a gold medal in the pate and terrine section.

Further gold awards were dished out to brothers Piers and Cameron Osborne Burns, Harry Craig, Rachael Tavender and Jose Esteves. Each gold award winner received a copy of the book, Practical Cookery.