Cook faces 'ultimate challenge' (From Penarth Times)

Cook faces 'ultimate challenge'

A PENARTH chef has qualified for the final of the nation's premier culinary contest as one of the two top-scoring runners-up from the regional heats.

Ross Williams, 32-year-old head chef of La Marine Restaurant, Penarth, was runner up in the South Wales regional final of the National Chef of Wales competition at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff last week.

He will now line up in the national final against South Wales winner Nicholas Evans, chef in Owen's Restaurant at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport; North Wales winner Stephen Duffy, head chef at St Tudno Hotel, Llandudno; and North Wales runner up, Gareth Dwyer, head chef at the Castle Hotel, Conwy.

The national finalists face an exacting black box challenge, whereby they are presented with a mystery box of ingredients on the day of the competition, from which they have to cook a three-course meal for four people. Chairman of the judges, Graham Tinsley, said: "It's the ultimate challenge to find out who the best cook is."