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| 22 year old Matthew Logan is Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2014 |
The annual Euro-Toques Young Chef final took place today, at an exclusive pop up event on Capel Street and Matt was one of five finalists who battled it out over the past two months to win this esteemed title. His prize includes an all expenses paid work-period at the world-renowned The Square Restaurant in London. There Matt will work under the direction of two star Michelin chef Philip Howard, who was this year’s special guest judge. Philip is also co-proprietor of the Ledbury and Kitchen W8, both also in London.
The other four finalists were: Luke Ahearne, aged 22, Chef de Partie at Campagne, Co. Kilkenny, John Fitzmaurice, aged 25, Sous Chef at the Mustard Seed, Co. Limerick, Chris Fullam, aged 21, 3rd year Culinary Arts student at DIT, Cathal Brugha Street and Ian McHale, aged 26, Senior Chef de Partie also at Chapter One restaurant.
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 she went on to found Euro-toques Ireland the same year.
In recent years, the Euro-Toques Ireland Young Chef competition has evolved, incorporating social media elements and exciting new event formats but the reason behind it has remained the same. The competition is a search for Ireland’s best young chefs, who show creativity, skill and superb cooking talent. The core value of all Euro-Toques chefs is a passion for local and seasonal sourcing of food product.
The competition is now in it’s 24th year and focused on the theme “No Chef is an Island”. Euro-toques, in association with Fáilte Ireland and industry sponsor La Rousse Foods, is a search to find a young Food Ambassador for Ireland, who can contribute to developing an identity for Irish cooking and to promote Ireland’s culinary reputation at home and abroad.
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| Guest Judge Philip Howard is impressed with Matt Logan's Euro-Toques final dish |
Speaking after being crowned Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year, Matt said,“I am absolutely delighted with the result. The competition has been a huge challenge and has really tested my abilities in lots of ways. It’s been a very intense few weeks, but there is a lot of intensity to being a chef and that is what we thrive on. It has been a great buzz working with the other lads and a huge honour to cook for the judges. The whole experience has been great, tough work, but great. I am looking forward to representing Euro-toques and Fáilte Ireland over the next year and going to work with Phil Howard at the Square – and thrilled to have the opportunity”.
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| Chefs JP McMahon, Philip Howard, Paul Kelly and Euro-Toques Ireland President chef Wade Murphy |
Commenting at the final, Wade Murphy, President of Euro-toques Ireland said, “The 5 young chefs here tonight have gone through a rigorous selection process and some very tough tasks. Their work ethic and passion for what they do is inspiring. I loved seeing the seriousness with which they approached each stage, but also the camaraderie between them and the enjoyment they clearly took in each challenge. They are all extremely talented chefs and they are the people who will build Ireland’s culinary scene and reputation in the years to come." He continued, "It's always very difficult to have just one winner, but the points decide it in the end. Matt consistently showed great skills, creativity and dedication to his craft throughout the competition and we are delighted to announce him as Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2014”.
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| Failte Ireland Food Tourism Manager, Helen McDaid |
Helen McDaid, Food Tourism Manager at Fáilte Ireland said, “In the last few years, as Ireland’s food revolution has gathered pace, Fáilte Ireland has worked closely with Euro-toques Ireland and their Young Chef of the Year competition as a key means of identifying the new wave of inspired Irish chefs to establish and promote ‘Irish cuisine’ in both domestic and international markets.” This partnership has allowed the competition to reach new heights and new audiences ensuring it will provide an excellent opportunity for a future sponsor who shares these goals.
The event also gave the finalists the chance to tantalise the taste buds of Ireland’s most celebrated chefs and almost 200 other guests as they served out their own signature dishes. The five young chefs were assisted on the night by a professional team consisting of Declan Maxwell (Chapter One Restaurant) acting as front of house, Peter Everett (Restaurant Forty One at Residence) overseeing the kitchen and special guest MC’s for the evening David and Stephen Flynn from The Happy Pear.
Congrats to Matt on an excellent performance throughout the Euro-Toques Young Chef 2014 competition and we wish him a continued successful career as an award-winning Irish Chef.
Zack