Heat is onfor WestSussex chefs

West Sussex is leading the way with four of the region’s most talented young chefs nominated for this sought-after prize, including: 23-year-old Hanna Payne from Whites Bar & Kitchen in Steyning; Piers Martyn, also 23 years old, from Seven Fish in Midhurst and two Horsham chefs, 21-year-old Wayne Boddy of Restaurant Tristan and Steven Edwards, 24 years old, from The Pass at South Lodge Hotel.

The West Sussex team of four join five other candidates representing restaurants, pubs and cafés across the county: three Brighton chefs, Simon Duncan from Sam’s of Brighton, Hotel Du Vin’s Will Stayner and Daniel Whittle from Temptation; further east of the county there is Philippa Seward-Fisher from the Coach and Horses in Danehill and finally Bradley Jordan from The Cowdray in Balcombe.

Voting has now been re-opened at www.sussexfoodawards.biz for the top six to go forward in to Sussex’s very own version of Masterchef, the ‘cook off’ which will take place on Tuesday November 9 at City College Brighton. Chefs will have to cook a seasonal dish using local produce in front of a judging panel who will then decide on the three finalists.

Dhrutee Davé, Director of Haywards Heath based food recruitment agency, Blue Spark Organisation, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this exciting and very popular category this year. Becoming a great chef is not easy, it requires enormous commitment and dedication and we are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders up for this coveted award. The food industry is fiercely competitive and being recognised for one’s efforts along that journey can make all the difference.”

Voting for your favourite candidate is easy, simply go to www.sussexfoodawards.biz and register – it only takes a few minutes and could be the deciding factor as to whether these young chefs get through to the next round or not for the all important cook off.

Other remaining categories for this year’s awards include: Best Sussex Farmers Market, this year sponsored by the Lewes brewers, Harveys; Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Musgrave Retail Partners; Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR; Best Sussex Eating Experience, sponsored by A Taste of Sussex; Sussex Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Knill James; Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter and Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by D Leonard & Co and Natural Farms.

Hilary Knight from A Taste of Sussex and sponsors of the Best Sussex Eating Experience category, will also be on hand to talk about the Sussex Food & Drink Awards at various fantastic ‘foodie’ events being held throughout the county, including: the legendary ‘Big Nibble’, Horsham on 4 September and the ‘Big Sussex Market’, Brighton on 11-12 September which forms part of the Brighton and Hove Food & Drink Festival running throughout September. Find out more at www.sussexfoodawards.biz