21 year old Mark Moriarty from The Greenhouse Restaurant, was today awarded the prestigious title of Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2013 at an exclusive event titled “Carnival of Memories” at Google Ireland’s Garage Cafe, in Dublin 2.
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| Winner of the 2013 Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year, Mark Moriarty |
Mark was a runner up in the final of Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year last year and is delighted with his triumph. "To make this final stage with the other four finalists was an honour in itself and right now it’s still sinking in that I have just been awarded the title of Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2013, " he said after the award presentation.
Mark was one of five finalists who battled it out over the past three months to win this esteemed title. The other four finalists in this year's competition were:
Elena Arzak, World’s Best Female Chef 2012 and joint head chef at three Michelin star restaurant Arzak, was on hand to award Mark the distinguished title which includes a stage at ALMA, the International School of Italian cuisine in Colorno Italy, headed by world renowned chef Gualtiero Marchesi, amongst other exciting opportunities.
Mark was one of five finalists who battled it out over the past three months to win this esteemed title. The other four finalists in this year's competition were:
- Kevin Burke (aged 24 from Castleknock, Dublin 15) Chef de Partie, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Merrion Hotel
- Paula Leavy (aged 26 from Dromcondra Dublin 9) Chef de Partie from Locks Brasserie
- Brian O’Flaherty (aged 24 Barntown in Co Wexford) Commis Chef in Restaurant Forty One
- Grainne O’Keefe (aged 22 from Blanchardstown, Dublin 15) Junior Sous Chef in Pichet
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| One of the best female Chefs in the world, Elena Arzak, presented the award |
The judging panel included Elena Arzak, Michelin-starred Ross Lewis of Chapter One, Euro-Toques President Wade Murphy, Marc Amand, MD of La Rousse Foods and Lorcan Cribbin of Unicorn. The panel was chaired by Neil McFadden.
Speaking at the final Mark Moriarty said, "I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the competition and would definitely say that is has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career to date not to mention the most challenging! To get the chance to work and learn from Ireland’s top chefs has been invaluable and 2014 is now set to be a memorable year with my stage in ALMA under the guidance of the great Gualtiero Marchesi.”
Now in its 23rd year, the theme of this year’s Euro-Toques competition was "Food Memories". The competition, in association with Failte Ireland, looks to find a young food ambassador for Ireland who can contribute to developing an identity for Irish cooking and promote Ireland’s culinary reputation at home and abroad.
A special event celebrating Irish cooking took place on Sunday evening at Google Dublin to mark the 2013 Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year and announce the winner. Guests were treated to a champagne reception and a 5-course meal prepared by the finalists and their restaurants based on the theme "Food Memories".
Commenting at the final, Wade Murphy, President of Euro-toques Ireland said, “This year’s Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year competition focused on Food Memories and we really wanted to see the finalists talents when it came to the interpretation of their own food memories from their childhood. Ireland in its own right is becoming a well-known culinary destination and we wanted to select finalists that can develop and add to this culinary revolution."
Speaking at the final Mark Moriarty said, "I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the competition and would definitely say that is has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career to date not to mention the most challenging! To get the chance to work and learn from Ireland’s top chefs has been invaluable and 2014 is now set to be a memorable year with my stage in ALMA under the guidance of the great Gualtiero Marchesi.”
Now in its 23rd year, the theme of this year’s Euro-Toques competition was "Food Memories". The competition, in association with Failte Ireland, looks to find a young food ambassador for Ireland who can contribute to developing an identity for Irish cooking and promote Ireland’s culinary reputation at home and abroad.
A special event celebrating Irish cooking took place on Sunday evening at Google Dublin to mark the 2013 Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year and announce the winner. Guests were treated to a champagne reception and a 5-course meal prepared by the finalists and their restaurants based on the theme "Food Memories".
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| President of Euro-Toques Ireland, Chef Wade Murphy, Chef/Owner of 1826 Adare |
Commenting at the final, Wade Murphy, President of Euro-toques Ireland said, “This year’s Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year competition focused on Food Memories and we really wanted to see the finalists talents when it came to the interpretation of their own food memories from their childhood. Ireland in its own right is becoming a well-known culinary destination and we wanted to select finalists that can develop and add to this culinary revolution."
"The passion, talent and determination we have seen over the past few months has been astounding and these five finalists are set for great things in the coming years. All five finalists brought something different to the table but in the end Mark’s hard work and unique talent shone through and we were delighted to announce Mark as the overall winner of Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2013,” he added.
What is Euro-Toques?
Euro-toques, the European Community of Chefs, was established in Brussels in 1986 by a group of top chefs in Europe. Their purpose was to form a network of chefs committed to quality local food sourcing and to be a voice for the industry to protect Europe’s traditional foods and culinary heritage.
Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House was one of the founding members and went on to found Euro-toques Ireland the same year. Euro-toques Ireland lobbies on a variety of food policy issues and is heavily involved in education, focusing on food education for children and skills training for chefs, in addition to organizing food-related events and activities for both industry and the public.
For more information on the Euro-Toques and the Young Chef 2013 competition see www.euro-toques.ie
Zack
What is Euro-Toques?
Euro-toques, the European Community of Chefs, was established in Brussels in 1986 by a group of top chefs in Europe. Their purpose was to form a network of chefs committed to quality local food sourcing and to be a voice for the industry to protect Europe’s traditional foods and culinary heritage.
Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House was one of the founding members and went on to found Euro-toques Ireland the same year. Euro-toques Ireland lobbies on a variety of food policy issues and is heavily involved in education, focusing on food education for children and skills training for chefs, in addition to organizing food-related events and activities for both industry and the public.
For more information on the Euro-Toques and the Young Chef 2013 competition see www.euro-toques.ie
Zack