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Newcastle chef to take part in young chef of the year

A young chef at one of Newcastle’s top restaurants is set for the national stage later this year, competing against some of the best talent in the country as a finalist in the Young Chef of the Year 2018.

Alex Walker, chef de partie at Terry Laybourne’s flagship 21 restaurant in Newcastle, is among only eight chefs taking part in the national awards, run by The Craft Guild of Chefs, taking part at the Restaurant Show in October.

The 24-year old from Gateshead has already made a name for himself after becoming North East Young Chef of the Year in a competition run by catering organisation NECTA last autumn.

Alex has been with Terry Laybourne’s 21 Hospitality Group for three years, initially working at The Broad Chare pub as a commis chef before moving to 21 almost two years ago to further his training and skills and gain experience in a larger kitchen. He began his cooking career working at a family run Italian restaurant in Gateshead whilst studying catering at Gateshead College; he then moved to work at Fratello’s in Jesmond before joining 21 Hospitality Group in 2014.

Nick Shottel, brand director at 21 Hospitality Group, says Alex is a rising talent and predicts an exciting future ahead of him.

Nick said: “Everyone here at 21 is thrilled for Alex. He continues to dedicate time to perfecting his skills and dishes. 21 Hospitality Group invests in nurturing young talent and building careers so we are delighted to see Alex’s hard work pay off. We will continue to support Alex in the run-up to the final later this year.”

Alex was mentored by 21’s senior sous chef, Martin Malinowski, who has previously won both regional and national cooking awards.

In the national final, Alex will be up against chefs working in some of the top kitchens in the country from the Ritz, Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons to L’Enclume in Cumbria and Northcote Manor.

He can already take great confidence from the fact he was one of the highest scorers in the regional semi-finals.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by 21 Hospitality Group .