The six finalists

The six finalists

Ireland's best young chef will be named this Sunday at the final of the Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year competition.

The competition began in August, but was whittled down to 6 contenders in September during a skills test in the professional kitchens of Dublin Cookery School in Blackrock. Judges Kevin Thornton, Gareth Mullins and Wade Murphy, along with special guest judge Tom Brown of Cornerstone in Hackney, selected the six young talents that will participate in this Sunday's final.

The six finalists in Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2018 competition are Attila Galambos mentored by JP McMahon of Aniar, Jack Lenards mentored by Ahmet Dede of Mews, Jason Nolan mentored by Robert McCauley of Gregan’s Castle, Matthew Stafford currently mentored by Kevin Aherne of Sage, Glen Sutcliffe mentored by Eric Matthews of Chapter One and Michael Morrisroe mentored by James Kavanagh of The Strawberry Tree.The six young chefs currently work in some of the country’s most exciting and are being mentored by fantastic chefs so this year's standard is very high!

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BOOK >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sunday 4 November - The Young Chef of the Year Gala Dinner & Winner Announcement 2018 will be held at @intercondublin • Hosted by @dominikemp & @paulflynnchef the dinner is a collaboration between @stove28 @ahmet_dede_ @stanpastry @alan.mcardle @alberto_rossi . . Canapes will be created by the young chef finalists using this year’s Food Awards winning produce. . Each finalists is paired up with a producer and will showcase their produce: *Attila Galambos @gsattila from @aniarrestaurant will showcase @dooncastle_oysters *Glen Sutcliffe @glensutty92 from @chapteronedublin & @thornhillduck *Jack Lenards @jacky_len5849 @mewswestcork & @woodcocksmokery *Jason Nolan @jasonnolan97 @aghadoeheights & @ballymakenny *Matthew Stafford @staffcrd @sage_midleton_ & @woodcocksmokery *Michael Morrisroe @mickmorrisroe @macreddin @brooklodge_hotel & @corleggycheeses • • This is a great occasion and an opportunity to gather and celebrate the best talent on the island. • • TICKETS: Members €110|Non Members €125 Including drinks . . BOOK: [email protected] Pic by @priscilaeliasphotography

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The chefs took part in now a series of educational events during September and October in order to prepare for this Sunday's grand final. The events were conducted in collaboration with principal partner La Rousse Foods, and supporting partner San Pellegrino.

The educational events included an exclusive workshop with Cúán Greene, who is currently a chef at multi-award winning Noma in Copenhagen. The finalists also took part in a hands-on visit with suppliers and producers based around a trip to Ballymaloe House, home of Myrtle Allen, founder member of Euro-Toques International, who passed away this year. After this, the six chefs participated in the two-day chefs’ conference Food On The Edge in Galway, where they were able to interact with some of the biggest names in food today. 

Manuela Spinelli, Secretary General of Euro-toques Ireland said:

“The six talented young chefs in this year’s Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year 2018 have been chosen for their enthusiasm, talent and eagerness to learn and I am once again so happy to see such a high level of skill and technique coming through in this exciting competition which is designed to nurture that talent. At Euro-Toques we are so grateful to our sponsors and to the judges, producers and hosts who give so generously of their time and expertise in helping this process be the best it can be. It will be an excellent final competition again this year - good luck to all six of the finalists, and may the best young chef win!”

The standard among this year's finalists is exceptionally high, so we are extremely excited to see who takes home the coveted title at this year's final and wish all the finalists the absolute best of luck! 

FOOD&WINE editor Dee Laffan will be at the final this Sunday, so check out our social media to keep up with what's happening.