A YOUNG Bromsgrove chef has beat the odds and won himself a place at the Springboard’s FutureChef National Final.
Carl Ridsdale, from South Bromsgrove High School, went up against six other competitors in a regional cook-off and blew judges away.
The 15-year-old served up a menu of duck breast in a red wine reduction, honey and red wine glazed shallots and a parsnip puree followed by a desert of vanilla panna cotta and citrus infused pineapple.
The competition is part of a campaign to encourage 12 to 16-years-olds to learn the vital life skills of cooking and understand nutrition whilst also helping budding chefs to take up a career in the industry.
Carl said: “Today has been great, the standard was very high and I’m very pleased to have won.”
Head Judge Julie Smith, from Handpicked Hotels, said Carl had wowed them with his complete focus, organisation and calm approach in such a pressured environment whilst also displaying a real understanding of great culinary techniques.
She added: “I’ve worked with professionals who would have been delighted to have produced the results Carl did and he really stood out today.”
