Skip to content

Young Chef of the Year finalist inspired by dad

Emma StanleyNorth West
News imageDavid Scholes Photography for Northcote Eno standing in a professional kitchen, smiling towards the camera, with trays of small pastries in the foreground and other kitchen staff working in the background. Stainless steel cooking equipment and warm lighting fill the commercial kitchen setting.David Scholes Photography for Northcote
Eno West says his interest in becoming a chef began in his early teens

A young chef has reached the final of one of the UK's most prestigious culinary competitions.

Eno West, a commis chef at the Michelin-starred Northcote in the Ribble Valley, is one of the finalists for the Young National Chef of the Year title.

The competition is designed to showcase the next generation of talent and offers the chance for young chefs to test their skills, gain experience and earn national recognition early in their careers.

West, 19, said his interest in being a chef started in his early teens, when his dad "got me and my siblings cooking".

News imageLisa Goodwin-Allen in an industrial kitchen. She stands in the kitchen by a hot plate and various other appliances. Lisa has short bleached blonde hair and is wearing a black jacket.
Michelin-starred chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen said: "The competition is about bringing the next generation through"

The competition, open to those between the ages of 18 and 24, is an invitation-only tournament, with young chefs securing their spots through a combination of nominations, competition results and industry recognition.

Launched in 2012, the judges this year include Mark Birchall, Tom Shepherd and Cherish Finden, who will assess the final 12 competitors.

Eno said for the final "there's a brief that you have you follow, you have to do three courses in two hours and it needs to be four of each dish".

"For the starter they want a salmon dish with a consommé made from mushroom and Asian-inspired flavours.

"For your main course they want venison loin with another cut of venison, a potato element, a fruit element, one vegetable using at least two different ways and a sauce made from the trimmings.

"And for dessert they want a whole egg custard tart with a seasonal fruit garnish."

At Northcote, West works under the mentorship of chef patron-director Lisa Goodwin-Allen and said he "definitely" wants to follow in her footsteps as she "very much inspires me and gives me direction".

Goodwin-Allen said she was "very proud" Eno had made the final.

"The competition is about bringing the next generation through," she told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's great for their confidence, for their growth, for their experience and hopefully he'll do very well."

The Young National Chef of the Year final will be held at Le Cordon Bleu London on 6 October.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

More on this story