Waterford chef is Ireland’s hottest culinary prospect

FUTURE Gordon Ramsays, Richard Corrigans and chefs of a quieter yet no less talented disposition gathered in Dublin over the weekend to do battle in kitchens for one of the most hotly contested title in Irish culinary circles.

A 23-year-old chef, Peter Everett from Waterford Castle Hotel, emerged successful to claim the Bailey’s Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2006 award.

The winner, who is employed as a sous chef, previously worked at several well-known Dublin restaurants including Chapter One, Bang and the Clarence Hotel, as well as Restaurant Les Muses in Paris.

The competition, which is in its 17th year, is designed to find the country’s best chef under the age of 25.

Among the many tasks set by the judging panel was the preparation of a five-course gourmet banquet for 130 guests.

Peter who grew up just a few hundred yards from Waterford Castle in Ballinakill, just outside the city, graduated with a BA in Culinary Arts from DIT Cathal Brugha Street last year.

As part of his prize, which includes a cheque for €1,000, Peter will also be given a placement in a top European Euro-Toques restaurant.

Among previous winners of the competition is Irish celebrity chef Nevan Maguire, who runs McNean’s Bistro in Blacklion, Co Cavan.

The other four finalists, who all received a prize of €250, were John Vahey, The Riverfront Hotel, Virginia, Co Cavan; Christopher Molloy, L’Ecrivain, Baggot Street, Dublin; Stephen Holland, Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Co Monaghan and Andrew McFadden, Rosso Restaurant, Dundalk, Co Louth.