Gareth wins the national Skills for Chefs Award

Cwtch* sous chef Gareth Evans was this week named the winner of the national competition to find the country’s best new chef.

Gareth – who studied at Pembrokeshire College – beat hopefuls from across the country to storm the 2008 Skills for Chefs competition. Amongst his rivals were executive chefs, a college lecturer and some very experienced competitors recognised as leaders in their field.

Skills for Chefs is a yearly competition with many well-known faces from the catering world coming together to share their skills and expertise and recognise and nurture new talent.

22 year old Gareth decided to pursue a career in catering after working with Matt Cox, head chef at Cwtch*. He went on to train at Pembrokeshire College where he completed his Level 3 Programme in June 2007, and went on, through a Pembrokeshire College European- sponsored bursary, to spend six months in the kitchens of the famous One Aldwych hotel. Since returning to Wales he has worked as sous chef at Cwtch*.

To get to the final Gareth had to give a full description and methodology of a dish including duck breast, which he then reproduced at the Final - under the clock and under the watchful eyes of his contemporaries. He worked in an unfamiliar kitchen to create two main course plates in 40 minutes, in front of 150 people.

The final took place at the annual Skills for Chefs conference – the largest chef’s conference in the UK – on 24th June at the Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield.

Gareth believes in uncomplicated food that is big on flavour. He shares Cwtch’s passion for using local produce and loves trying out new dishes on the menu. It is this passion that won the competition for Gareth, as the judges valued flavour above fancy presentation. Some of Gareth’s competitors produced very creative food which looked amazing on the plate, but did not have the strength of flavour of Gareth’s creations. His ambition for the future – to work under a Michelin star chef, learn from the best and then bring that knowledge back to Wales.

Gareth Evans: It feels really good to have won. I wasn’t expecting it at all as I was up against some really experienced chefs. I am still feeling the buzz!

Cwtch* owner Rachael Knott: We are so proud of Gareth. To win this award is a real achievement. It feels great to have a nationally recognised chef working in our kitchen, and of course Gareth has been instrumental in Cwtch*’s success. With his help we made the 2008 Good Food Guide and are busier than ever!

Pembrokeshire College curriculum team leader Mark James: When we alerted Gareth to the possibility of entering this competition he grabbed the chance with both hands. It was a great experience being there with him. As his mentor I would suggest that he had his work cut out to win the senior competition, but as usual Gareth pulled it off through a combination of quality local ingredients, making sure the dish was big on taste and simple, neat presentation. I hope he goes on to fulfil his dreams and to inspire young chefs to take their cooking to the next level.

Notes to Editors:

• 1. Cwtch – pronounced ‘cutsh’ – is a Welsh word meaning to snuggle or hug. It means all things cosy, snug and warm. Find out more at www.cwtchrestaurant.co.uk
• 2. Skills for Chefs is an annual competition. Find out more at www.skillsforchefs.co.uk
• 3. Cwtch* opened in 2005 and is an informal, relaxed 42-seat restaurant space. Welsh slate floors, wooden floors, chalkboard menus, shelves stacked with local products, lots of newspapers and laid back sounds surround diners to create Cwtch's* warm, homely environment.
• 4. As well as being named in the Top Ten British Restaurants in The Times, the 2008 Good Food Guide honoured Cwtch* with the highest rating of all Pembrokeshire restaurants.
• 5. Pembrokeshire College’s main campus is set in the county town of Haverfordwest. The college offers a mixture of full-time, part-time and work-based courses and training qualifications to nearly 11,000 students with 2,000 of them being full-time. The quality profile of Pembrokeshire College based on exam results and Estyn inspections make it one of the best performing colleges in Wales. For more information about hospitality courses go to www.pembs.ac.uk/tourism.

Cwtch

22 High Street

St Davids

SA62 6SD

01437 720491

www.cwtchrestaurant.co.uk

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www.helenstallard.co.uk