Wing Yip’s Young Chef of the Year winner announced

The winner overcame tough competition from 14 finalists to take the 2019 title

Amelia Ng from Manor House Hotel has been awarded Wing Yip’s Young Chef of the Year title for 2019, winning a cash prize of £750 and the opportunity to cook with Larkin Cen at Woky Ko, his Bristol restaurant.

“I heard about this competition from my mentor Ed Marsh and have been working very hard preparing over the last couple of months,” said Ng. “I was thrilled to have made the final but to win the title is just incredible.”

Ng battled it out against 14 finalists at University College Birmingham on Thursday 4 April in front of an elite panel of judges including restaurateur Larkin Cen, President of the British Culinary Federation Peter Griffiths MBE, and Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell.

“The competition presented lots of challenges, but I’m so pleased that all my hard work paid off,” Ng continued. “The judges were brilliant and offered some excellent advice along the way. It’s an experience I won’t forget and one that I’ll take with me throughout my career.”

For the challenge, Ng presented a starter dish of black sesame bao bun with crispy challons duck and spiced plum, and a main of Huntsham Farm pork and prawn wontons served with egg noodles, lotus root, pak choi, Chinese leaf, pork and shiitake broth.

“This year was incredibly tough for the contestants, but the judges and I were very impressed with the high standards brought to the table,” commented Peter Griffiths. “Amelia demonstrated an excellent working method and good depth of oriental flavours and clearly put in a lot of hard work and practise in the run up to the competition.”

“We’re extremely passionate about championing aspiring young chefs from all over the country,” added Wing Yip Director Ennevor Yap. “The competition offers an amazing platform for anyone who is passionate about cooking, whether that’s oriental or any other type of cuisine.

“On behalf of everyone at Wing Yip, we’d like to congratulate Amelia and wish her all the best with her future endeavours.”

 

Amelia Ng Wing Yip Young Chef of the Year