Shaun comes third in YCYW National Final

L'ortolan chef Shaun Dickens has come third in a national competition which searches for the best in young culinary talent.

Eight chefs  went through to the Young Chef Young Waiter (YCYW) final following regional heats at Darlington College and Thames Valley University.

Shaun, who has worked at l'ortolan since April 2009, came top of the Southern regional heat in September, and narrowly missed out on the top spot at national finals.

The Chef winner of YCYW 2009 was Rose Greene, a chef from Cheltenham restaurant Le Champignon Sauvage while Chef Jenny Thoden from Aiden Byrne's Church Green Restaurant in Lymm, took second place in the competition.

During the final held in London Chef competitors were judged on their choice of a three-course menu from a basket of ingredients, on their skill and ability in cooking the meal, and on their timing.

Bob Walton, chairman of The Restaurant Association, which organised the competition, said: "All these competitors had an extraordinary talent and we should be proud of them. Once again, Young Chef Young Waiter continues to highlight the skills and professionalism of the youngsters now making a career in the industry. They represent a very bright future for the industry."