News: Westminster visit has distinctly Italian flavour!

Kim Sharp and Elisha Johnson, both 18, are at Westminster College London to compete for the title of Riso Gallo Young Risotto Chef of the Year. Top prize is a work placement at top chef Angela Hartnett MBE’s Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant, Murano. 

The first round of the competition called on budding chefs aged between 18 and 25 from across the country to submit a recipe and a photograph of their own risotto recipe, along with an explanation of how they felt winning the competition would enhance their catering career. 

Kim, from Bulwell, and Elisha, from Hucknall, are both studying towards their Level 2 Professional Chef’s Diploma at Nottingham College, and thanks to their success in the first round, both have now been shortlisted to be part of a live cook-off with the top five entrants. 

Kim impressed the judges with her fantastically festive Brussels sprout, chestnut and pancetta risotto, while Elisha is hoping to wow the judges with her flavoursome butternut squash, radicchio and goat’s cheese dish. 

The annual competition is organised by Riso Gallo, rice and grain specialist and supplier. 

Judges include top chefs including head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Café, Davide Degiovanni; former Professional MasterChef finalist, Danilo Cortellini; and Head Chef at Murano, Oscar Holgado. 

The winner will receive an all-expenses paid, three-day work experience at Murano, and their recipe will also be featured in Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Cafe in London, for one week. One lucky runner-up will win a three-day cooking experience with Executive Chef, Danilo Cortellini, at The Italian Embassy in London, for the planning and execution of a gala dinner. 

Sam North, Chef Lecturer at Nottingham College, has supported the students through the competition. He said: ​“We are so proud of Elisha and Kim, and it was great to see all four Nottingham College student entrants making it into the top 20 in the country.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Kim and Elisha to experience a ​‘Masterchef-style’ competition environment, sample the food at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, and compete for a prize that will be a huge asset on their CV.”