Star chef’s TV triumph
Apr 18 2009 by Jane Hall, The Journal
“I know all the chefs who have reached the final are very competitive and we will all be wanting to be part of this occasion.
“The next step is for me to convince the public they should vote for me.”
Last night viewers heard the judges describe Kenny’s menu as well balanced and the most complete.
In keeping with the Great British Menu’s taste of home theme, he used beef and lamb from Steve Ramshaw’s Northumbrian Quality Meats based at West Woodburn, near Hexham; kippers from Craster; mussels from Berwick; Carroll’s Heritage Potatoes from Tiptoe Farm near Coldstream and chillis from Trees Can’t Dance at Coanwood.
This is the fourth series of the Great British Menu - and the first time the North East had been considered worthy of competing in its own right. Before now the North West and North East had been joined together as one region, with the bias in favour of chefs born the other side of the Pennines.
But in a twist, Kenny’s sparring partner in the kitchen, Ian Matfin, while born, raised and trained in Newcastle, is in fact now one of Manchester’s top chefs, having made his name at the acclaimed Abode restaurant and champagne bar.
Sixteen chefs are taking part in the Great British Menu with eight set to go through to the final. Already through alongside Kenny after the third week of competition are Scotland’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kitchin, and Glynn Purnell from Birmingham representing the Central region.
Filming for the North East section actually took place in January, and Kenny has had to keep news of his regional win under his hat until now.
“It has been hard, but I have had to ensure I haven’t let on. I hope I have come across this week as being genuine. Both Ian and myself got on, but we both obviously wanted to win. I didn’t take part to have an easy life.
“There were times when we got things terribly wrong, but I think this week has shown that even chefs at our level can make mistakes.
“Now I’m through to the final and the better I do the better for the North East. I really want to see one of my dishes being served up at the banquet.”
:: To watch video footage of Kenny in action, click here ::
:: Cook great British food with these tempting recipes... Click here ::
