Neven Maguire (MacNean House and Bistro) with winner James Richardson and Seafood Marketing Project Officer Christine McKenna.
"…the sheer ability and creativity among these young finalists is unbelievable." (Neven Maguire)

Congratulations to Co. Armagh's James Richardson, winner of the second "Young Seafood Chef of the Year Competition." The 20 year old from Markethill beat off heavy competition from 11 other exceptionally talented finalists to take the 2004 title at the final 'cook off' of Tuesday 12th October at Newry and Kilkeel Institute. Well done also to Jonathan Finney from The Oriel in Gilford who took Silver and Rachael Sheridan from the Nuremore Hotel in Carickmacross who won Bronze.

The competition was open to all chefs aged 23 and under working full time in college or industry in the twelve northern counties of Ireland. The heat was definitely turned up during the final cook off where each chef's culinary preparation, timing and presentation skills were pushed to the limit. Finalists had one hour to impress an esteemed panel of judges with a seafood starter and main course plus suggest an accompanying wine to complement the flavours on the plate. James' winning combination included a mouth watering starter of Seared Salmon, Smoked Haddock and Chive Risotto served with the subtle flavours of an Italian Sauve; followed by a main course of Sole Breval with Puff Biscuits accompanied by a French Cotes du Rhone Blanc.

The men to impress on the cross border judging panel were Bob McDonald (Northern Ireland Association of Chefs and Cooks); Brendan O'Neill (Panel of Chefs, Ireland); Neven Maguire (MacNean House & Bistro) and in order to officiate the marriage between seafood and wine, Denis Broderick (Direct Wine Shipments.)

All four judges commented that they were delighted by the high standard of the competition and excided by the raw talent of these up and coming young chefs in N. Ireland and the surrounding border counties. RTE's Open House star and award winning chef Neven Maguire commented, "the Young Seafood Chef of the Year Competition is an excellent challenge that promotes seafood among young people and has proved to be a real learning experience for all those who entered. The finalists really provided themselves at the 'cook off' and the sheer ability and creativity among these young finalists is unbelievable."

Winner James is currently studying for his Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts at Newry & Kilkeel Institute and works as a chef at Planter's Tavern, Waringstown. James is also a member of the Irish culinary team and won 2 Silver medals and a Bronze in Germany in October 2004, exemplifying the high standards of the competition. Furthermore as the winner of the 2004 "Young Seafood Chef of the Year Competition" his experiences can only be further enhances after spending 5 days in Padstow at the school of renowned seafood guru Rick Stein. When asked about his accomplishment James commented, "I am absolutely delighted to have won a place at the Rick Stein Seafood School. I am really looking forward to specializing in seafood and I know that I am going to gain a lot from it."

Project Officer of the Seafood Marketing Programme and organiser of the competition, Christine McKenna commented: "This is the second year that the competition has run and again it proved to be a success. All the finalists should be extremely proud of themselves for getting to the last stage. On behalf of the programme I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and students of Newry & Kilkeel Institute and Martin Johnston of East Coast Seafoods for all their support throughout the competition."

See more information on the third "Young Seafood Chef of the Year" Competition.

Seafood Marketing is a three-year marketing campaign managed by Northern Ireland Seafood (NIS) in partnership with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which aims to develop the domestic market for seafood and increase consumption in Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland. The Programme is funded under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.