The Celtic Cook Off in West Cork continues to build on the success of the inaugural event in September 2011 by attracting top chefs from the Celtic regions to take part in what is becoming one of the culinary events of the year.

The 2011 Celtic Cook Off was held as part of the A Taste of West Cork Festival that proved very popular with the paying public, the local food producers, Fáilte Ireland, the media and all the Chefs involved. The basis of the Celtic Cook Off was to create a fun and informative Cooking Show that showcases the best of West Cork produce cooked simply with each Chef’s own interpretation and ideas.

Last year’s winner, Roy Brett of the Ondine Restaurant in Edinburgh and representing Scotland, was very impressed with both West Cork as a venue as well as the range and world-class quality of artisan food production. So much so that product from Rosscarbery Recipes, Glenmar Shellfish and Woodcock Smokery now feature on the menu of his much-acclaimed restaurant.

And there is a link here with the 2012 Cornish representative; in accepting the invitation to come and cook for Cornwall, Jack Stein, son of restaurateur, chef and TV presenter Rick Stein, said:

‘Thanks for the invite I am really excited and pleased to represent my home of Cornwall. I will have to ask Roy for some tips, he was my first head chef!’

Jack was born in Cornwall and is the middle son of three boys. He began his career in the hospitality industry as a kitchen porter during school holidays in The Seafood Restaurant kitchen. At 16 he moved to front of house where he remained throughout his education.

Jack completed a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Ancient History at Cardiff University. Upon completing his masters in 2003, he then returned to The Seafood Restaurant as commis chef. After two years he then took up the position of sous chef at Rick Stein’s Café where he remained for another year.

Following this, Jack then went on to Paris to stage at La Régalade, which ignited a passion for travel and a period of stage work all over the world. Jack travelled to Australia for an extended stay at Tetsuya’s in Sydney, before exploring the Far East and Japan.

Upon his return to Padstow he re-entered The Seafood Restaurant and progressed to sous chef before moving on to a tournant role across the whole company.

He is currently the head of development for the company, leading the installation and introduction of a development kitchen for the business, where new recipes and ingredients will be tested.

Jack will be competing against Sean Hill of the Walnut Tree Inn for Wales as well as top chefs from Scotland, The Isle of Man, Brittany and Ireland.

Roy Brett will be among the judges for the 2012 Celtic Cook Off and will be joined by Tim Anderson, winner of MasterChef 2011 and who is Guest of Honour for the Celtic Cook Off this year. Tim will also be taking part in the events involving chefs and food producers arranged as part of the whole Celtic Cook Off experience.

Date of Celtic Cook Off:            Wednesday 12 September 2012, 7.30 PM

Venue:            The West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, Ireland.

For more on West Cork and its wonderful, world-class food, see:

www.westcorkhotel.com
www.westcorkfood.com
www.westcorkguide.com
www.westcorkartisanawards.com
www.skibbereen.ie