James Martin Crowns 2011 Young Chef
2011-12-12

Celebrity chef and TV presenter James Martin has named 15-year-old Charlotte Heath as the Red Tractor beef and lamb Mmmake it with Mince National Champion 2011.

Charlotte Heath and James Martin

Promising young chef Charlotte, from Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls, Warwickshire, will now enjoy a money-can’t-buy day with judge James Martin as a result of winning the EBLEX-backed challenge. The prize, which has been tailor-made by James, will include a trip to London where she will go backstage to watch the filming of James’ Saturday Kitchen cooking show and meet the guests, before having lunch and dinner with James at two of the capital's top restaurants.

The Stratford student impressed judges with her Lamb and Date Patty Pan Tagine during the live finals, beating five other regional winners to be named the 2011 National Champion.

This year’s competition received hundreds of entries from 11 to 16-year-old students across the country who each submitted original Red Tractor beef and lamb mince recipes. Charlotte was one of 47 regional finalists chosen to battle it out for this prestigious culinary crown during six live cook-off finals, over three days, hosted by James Martin.

“We received hundreds of inventive and exciting recipe ideas this year, so whittling them down to 47 regional finalists was a real challenge,” said Denise Spencer-Walker, food advisor for Red Tractor beef and lamb.

“Choosing Charlotte over many other budding chefs was a difficult decision, but her enthusiasm for good food gave her the winning edge. I hope that all the students who entered will be inspired to make cooking a bigger part of their day-to-day lives both now and in the future.”

The Red Tractor beef and lamb Mmmake it with Mince Challenge, launched in 2005 and supported by EBLEX, is designed to engage, educate and inspire students to develop their culinary talents and appreciate the importance of good nutrition, quality ingredients and sustainability. Open to all Key Stage 3 and 4 students, entrants are asked to submit their original Red Tractor beef or lamb mince recipes made within one hour and to a strict budget of £10.

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