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Ex-student reaches 'Sussex Young Chef of the Year' finals

18 November 2010

20-year-old Simon Duncan, an ex-Catering student at City College Brighton and Hove now working at Sam's of Brighton restaurant, has made it through to the finals for the hotly contested title of 'Sussex Young Chef of the Year'. Simon, the youngest of six shortlisted chefs, had reached the 'cook off' round and he faced enormous pressure this year, having to produce a full three-course menu, based on local and seasonal ingredients, as opposed to the one course required in previous years. In the 'masterchef-style' cook off hosted at City College's training kitchens, the young chefs faced a nail-biting wait before having to perform against the clock, producing each dish under the watchful eyes of the expert judging panel chaired by Clive Beddall OBE, Chairman of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards. The other two finalists joining Simon are Steven Edwards and Hanna Payne, both chefs at the South Lodge Hotel in Horsham.

Dhrutee Davé, Director of food recruitment agency, Blue Spark Organisation who sponsored the event, said:

Simon Duncan and Leroy Clarke

Simon Duncan and Leroy Clarke

'It has been a fantastic experience to be sponsors of this very popular category this year. The six candidates truly proved themselves in a very intense cook off and all were worthy of a place in the final ? it was an extremely difficult decision for the judges to choose the top three as all the dishes were outstanding, but Simon, Hanna and Steven were exceptional and their dishes were truly delicious.'

Leroy Clarke, Catering & Hospitality Curriculum Team Leader at City College, said:

'Simon was a fantastic student who grabbed every opportunity to learn new skills while he was with us. He always told us that he'd like to be running his own restaurant by the time he was 21 which now looks like a very achievable ambition.'

The three finalists now face another two months of waiting to see who the overall winner is which will be announced at the Sussex Food & Drink Awards dinner, to be held at the East Sussex Golf Resort & Spa on January 27 and hosted by Danny Pike from BBC Sussex. Organisers have already opened sales for tickets to attend the awards dinner, now dubbed the 'Sussex foodie event of the year'. This black tie event promises to be the best yet, celebrating the awards' fifth birthday. It includes a Sussex bubbly and ale reception sponsored by Harveys, a stunning seven-course banquet dinner consisting of local produce created by the East Sussex National's renowned head chef Andy Wiles, lots of entertainment and a lively Oscars-style awards presentation.

For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk website www.ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Situated in the heart of Brighton, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of vocational excellence. Every year 2,000 full-time, 10,000 part time, over 500 Higher Education and 250 14-16 year old students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their place of further and higher education training. In addition, the College provides training to over 2,000 businesses via its 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employer training needs. Offering over 700 courses from basic level right through to business and postgraduate training, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.