Young Chef Champions 2009
The Quality Standard beef and lamb Young Chef Challenge 2009 is now closed and the winners were selected from the hundreds of talented young cooks who entered the competition.
The finals saw us hold a series of cook-offs around the country in early December. Celebrity chef James Martin and Quality Standard beef and lamb Food Advisor Denise Spencer-Walker sampled and judged the 40 shortlisted recipes over three days, selecting a regional champion for each area representing the North-east, North-west, Midlands, South-west, South-east and London & East of England.
The shortlisted recipes were submitted by students aged 11-16, using either beef or lamb mince and adhering to strict rules on price and provenance. James and Denise judged the recipes marking them on presentation, taste, originality and nutrition and awarded a winner from each heat.
The standard of recipes entered this year was higher than ever. To view the winning recipes chosen by James and Denise and see step-by-step instructions for creating them at home please see the links below.
The National Champion
Jenna Duckers from Swindon was selected and crowned the National Quality Standard beef and lamb Young Chef Champion 2009. Jenna was given the award after being named the South-west regional heat winner in Bristol in December.
Jenna's recipe of Rustic Stuffed Crust Bolognese Pizza was awarded top marks by both James and Denise to clinch the title... congratulations Jenna!
Download Jenna's winning recipe
Keep checking this page for details and photographs of Jenna's prize which includes a trip to London to see James in action on Saturday Kitchen, plus a surprise package to be announced shortly!
If you or your school are interested in entering the Young Chef Challenge 2010 please email
Faye Christopherson (14), from Pickering, North Yorkshire, who won the North-east regional heat in Harrogate with her recipe 'Lamble Parcels with Honey Glazed Carrots, Creamy Potato and Leek Mash with Homemade Redcurrant Sauce'.
Heather Tallents (15), from Stockport, who won the North-west regional heat in Manchester with her 'Risotto Bolognese'.
The Birmingham regional heat winner was Shaefn Lawley (15), from Ludlow in Shropshire, who cooked 'Warm Winter Kebabs with Seasonal Salad and Black Onion Seed Tortilla Rounds' on the day for the judges.
Fourteen year old Scarlett Mynard from Colchester's recipe, 'Beef Koftas wrapped in Parma Ham' made her the South-east's regional winner at the heat in Reading.
Anna Lipski (14) from Chislehurst, Kent, won the London regional heat with her 'Spicy Minced Lamb Wrap accompanied by Sweet Carrot Salad and Beetroot with Garlic yogurt'.
