Tessa crowned Major Culinary Challenge Champ!

Tessa Clingham, aged 20, a final year student from Westminster College, London has been crowned overall champion of the Major Culinary Challenge, the nationwide search to find the most accomplished young chef in the UK.

The Major Culinary Challenge and Mini Series of Display Classes are organised each year by Major International in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs and are open to chefs of varying skill level from any type of foodservice operation. A range of live and static display classes showcase pastry and restaurant skills, whilst the hot live Culinary Challenge, in which contestants have just 60 minutes to prepare and cook two main meat, poultry or fish dishes using Major marinades really puts these young chefs to the test.

Originally from St Helena in the South Atlantic but living in London for the past three years, Tessa impressed the judges with an exciting combination of tantalising flavours from around the world. Tessa’s two fish dishes were: Almond and honey glazed salmon, served with lemon and almond dressed oriental noodles with clams and brown shrimps in a shellfish bisque using Major’s Honey, Lemon and Mustard Mari-Base. Dish two comprised: Monkfish wrapped in pancetta with caramelised chicory, Duchesse potatoes, dried cherry tomatoes and edaname beans in an orange beurre blanc, with a pancetta crisp using Major’s Hot Tomato Mari-Base.

“I guess growing up on St Helena, a remote island off south west Africa has influenced my cooking style.” Explains Tessa. “I am a big fan of fusion cuisine and try to bring in complementary flavours that really work well together. I was at college at home in St Helena for two years before coming to the UK to continue my education. I am absolutely thrilled that five years of education has paid off for me. It will be a great pleasure to include details of the Challenge on my CV as I will be job hunting when my course finishes later this year. I am hoping that winning the Challenge will help set me apart from other job hunters and get me off to a good start in my chosen career.”

According to Christopher Basten, vice chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs and executive chef at the London Marriott Hotel at County Hall “Tessa clinched the competition with two exciting, creative dishes which were described by the judging panel as a explosion of taste, texture and colour. Tessa had a level of skill way beyond her young age.”

Following a series of 4 regional heats, held at catering colleges around the UK, a short list of eight finalists were selected to compete in the live cook off which was held at Hotelympia last month. Tessa was presented with the Major Culinary Challenge trophy and £1,000 CCS vouchers by Brian Eastment, development chef at Major International.

Christopher, who chaired the judging panel at the cook off, continues: “We have been involved with the Major Culinary Challenge for several years now and I can honestly say the standard of work produced by these enthusiastic young chefs seems to get better every year. The important thing about the Major Culinary Challenge is that it provides an excellent training ground for young chefs to develop their skills in a competitive environment, whilst offering a launch platform to some of the bigger national and international competitions. I am delighted to be involved with something which has such a real benefit to upcoming new talent.”
Brian Eastment, for Major concludes: “Tessa is a very deserving winner. She worked quickly, with great skill and attention to detail and made creating two stunning dishes in less than an hour look easy. She ought to be very proud of herself and I wish her all the best for the future.”