Junior chef at Providores named 2010 Spanish Young Chef of the Year

Selin Kiazim, junior chef at London restaurant The Providores, has been named the 2010 Spanish Young Chef of the Year, winning a 10-day stage at Ferran Adrià’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli.

Organised by Spanish Foods, the competition, which was open to students and working chefs up to the age of 25, aims to promote the use of Spanish produce in the UK catering industry.

Entrants were expected to create a three-course meal using a range of Spanish ingredients including strawberries or raspberries, Picota cherries or persimmon, and chorizo or Serrano ham.

23-year-old Kiazim, who beat six finalists to the title, impressed judges including The Providores chef proprietor Peter Gordon, with her menu of pan-fried hake, roasted Iberico pork, and almond cake with sherry ice-cream.

Kiazim she said had learnt lot about Spanish ingredients by entering the Spanish Young Chef of the Year competition. "I am looking forward to learning even more at El Bulli," she said.

María José Sevilla, of Foods from Spain, added: "We were very impressed by the standard of entries in this second year of the competition.

“Last year's winner David Powell has had some incredible experiences as a result of winning the title of Spanish Young Chef of the Year. I am sure that Kiazim will go on to achieve similar success in her career."

Young chefs make the grade at the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2008 >>

Michelin-starred chef Ferran Adria accused of poisoning diners with additives >>

2008 Spanish Young Chef of the Year named >>

Elena Arzak - leading lady >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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