A CULINARY arts apprentice from Newtownards is to take part in an international competition for young chefs.
Twenty-one year-old Gabby Harrison has secured a place in the final of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Young Chef Olympiad which takes place in Goa, India, on February 2.
Gabby, who is completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery at the Bangor campus of South Eastern Regional College and is employed at the Stormont Hotel as commis chef, will represent Northern Ireland in the prestigious competition.
Gabby and her lecturer and mentor, Friedrich Machala, have been funded to attend the competition by The Savoy Educational Trust which supports education, training and skills development in hospitality for students and professionals.
“I am thrilled and delighted to have secured a place in the Young Chef Olympiad, and for the funding support from The Savoy Educational Trust which will allow me to showcase my skills and our little corner of Northern Ireland on the world stage,” she said.
“I am also looking forward to meeting other competitors from across the globe, and to learn about different foods, tastes and techniques from my peers, as well as networking with leaders in the industry.”
The Young Chef Olympiad will see 60 competitors from across six continents showcase their knowledge, skill and creativity which will be assessed by 25 international judges as they compete for the Young Chef Olympiad title 2025.
Judges include Cyrus Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste and a regular guest on James Martin’s Saturday morning show, Sarah Hartnett, renowned pastry chef and chocolate consultant, and London chefs, Stephen Carter of Boodles, Henri Brosi, the Lansdowne Club, London, and Mario Perera, The Dorchester Hotel.