Member Article

Recognition for the region's young culinary talent

Two employees of a Newcastle restaurant have been named the best young chef and waiter in the North East.

Junior sous chef Chris Eagle (24), and chef de rang Daniel Stasiewicz (24), from Jesmond Dene House restaurant, have been named as northern regional winners of a prestigious industry contest.

The duo won two of the four places at the northern final of the 2006 Young Chef Young Waiter awards. They are the only North East based competitors to make it through to the final of the scheme, which is organised by the Restaurant Association to recognise the culinary stars of the future.

Chris and Daniel’s talents were put to the test at Darlington College, where judges scored competitors on their skills and theoretical knowledge. Chris impressed a panel of six Michelin starred chefs with his butchery skills and ability to create a dish from surprise ingredients. Meanwhile Daniel was commended by leading food service professionals for his excellent standard of service and manner with guests.

The pair will now join 14 other national finalists as they compete in the final in London on October 3, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony at the House of Commons.

Daniel, who recently moved to the region said: “I’m really pleased to have got through to the final. Although the competition has been tough so far, it has been a fantastic learning experience. “I work with some excellent and very experienced restaurant professionals at Jesmond Dene House and they’ve really helped inspire and motivate me to make the best of my talents.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .