Two budding Greater Manchester chefs have impressed celebrity Irish cook, Paul Rankin, on route to the final of his competition to crown the UK’s best mini-chef.
Seven-year-old Ava Johnson of Droylsden and William Fedden, eight, from Oldham cooked their way to a place in the final three alongside Caitlin Charity, aged six, from Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
The competition, in association with Tourism Ireland, challenged children across the UK to get in to the kitchen and devise their own recipe using the new Rankin Selection Irish Family Sausage.
“I launched this competition to encourage kids to get in to the kitchen and get involved in family meal times,” said Rankin.
PERFECT WINTER WARMER: Ava’s sausage casserole is a winner
“That’s what I love about these recipes – the humble sausage is a British favourite and a great wholesome and versatile meal solution for families.”
Combining the sausages with streaky bacon, onions, garlic, beans and herbs in a hearty sausage casserole, Ava’s creation was a standout classic to the Michelin-star chef.
“Ava’s recipe is the perfect winter warmer dish, packed full of flavours, that the whole family will enjoy and she is a very worthy finalist,” he commented.
William’s entry combined two of his favourite foods by creating a pizza sausage roll complete with home-made tomato sauce, cheese sauce and tiger bread.
STANDOUT CLASSIC: William’s take on a sausage roll impressed Rankin
Rankin said: “William’s recipe was another standout classic for me and he is a very worthy finalist for combining two kids’ favourites with a modern and fun twist on the traditional sausage roll.”
The overall winner from the three finalists will be announced later this month.
The prize includes return flights and two nights’ accommodation in Belfast for the winner and their family, plus a Paul Rankin family cookery class and family entry to the Titanic Belfast visitor experience.
