insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 10 - December 2015 | Page 14

NEWS

LOCAL CHEFS SIZZLE AT SUSSEX YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR COOK OFF
Battle commenced in the kitchens at the Amex
Stadium in Brighton at the end of October
as six of the county’s finest young chefs took
part in a sizzling Master Chef-style cook off to
decide the winner of the coveted title, Sussex
Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Sodexo
Prestige, as part of the Sussex Food and Drink
Awards 2015/16.
Stephanie Haywood from Ockenden Manor in
Cuckfield, Michael Sutherland from The Sussex
Ox in Polegate, and Ryan Tomkinson from The
Pass at South Lodge Hotel in Lower Beeding
were thrilled to be presented with gold medals
as they were announced as this year’s grand
finalists.

The chefs were asked to create three
courses for a special 10th anniversary menu,
showcasing local Sussex producers, farmers
and growers – one of which might be served to
the 400 guests at the Sussex Food and Drink
Awards banquet, taking place in January at
the Amex Stadium. It will be at this ceremony
where the overall winner of Sussex Young Chef
of the Year will be presented with their winning
trophy.
Sodexo Prestige’s principal chef, Malcolm
Emery, said: “We had such an incredible
day and all these young chefs should feel
immensely proud at their efforts in this
competition. The standard has been simply

Sussex Young Chef Grand Finalists:
Stephanie Haywood, Michael Sutherland & Ryan Tomkinson

outstanding and, as ever, it was extremely close
in the judging with only a few points separating
the top three. Congratulations to all who have
taken part and I look forward to seeing all of
them move forward into successful careers.”

TWO YOUNG SUSSEX RIDERS SELECTED FROM HUNDREDS TO
RECEIVE SPONSORSHIP FROM BRITISH CLOTHING BRAND
14-year old horse rider, Katie Ruben, from Uckfield, and Ella Lucas, 15,
from Cowfold, West Sussex, have been chosen from over 250 applicants
to be among 10 Junior Riders from all around Britain to be sponsored by
Harry Hall clothing.

Both girls impressed the Harry Hall team with their enthusiasm for horses
and lively writing style and Harry Hall will now supply them with £600
worth each of clothing and equipment over the coming year to help them
achieve their equestrian ambitions. In return, Ella and Katie will write blogs
for Harry Hall, share news of Harry Hall events with their social media
followers, and report back about how their clothing is performing.

Ella, a pupil at Millais School in Horsham, owns Barney and enjoys
hacking and competing him alongside her GCSE studies, and Katie, a
student at Uckfield Community Technology College, keeps her loan pony
Pepsi, who came from a rescue centre, at Ashdown Riding Centre where
she has regular lessons.

“Harry Hall has been a favourite brand with young riders for decades – a
tradition we are proudly continuing with some fantastic new ranges,” says
Harry Hall sales and marketing director, Rachel Bowles. “We are delighted
to support this team of dedicated young riders, not all of whom own their
own pony, as they strive to fulfil their goals.”

Katie Ruben

Ella Lucas

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