Wednesday 26th September 2007
(ref:
WLCT132/2007)
Out of the way Oliver! And Ramsay you’ve had your day! There are a couple of new kids in town and pretty soon they’re going to be the ones with celebrity chef status.
For the past six months ambitious 21 year old chefs Wesley Speakman from Skelmersdale and John Evans from Up Holland have been learning their craft at one of the borough’s most exciting eateries, The Unicorn at Billinge.
The hard working pair have been honing their skills thanks to the expert tutelage of Chef Proprietor Andrew McLeod who has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay. When they’re not working up a sweat behind the hob the pair are studying hard for their catering qualifications. Now the fine dining duo are ready to unleash some considerable culinary talents on an unsuspecting world.
As part of the first ever Wigan Food and Drink Festival, Wesley and John have been entered into the Manchester Young Chef of the Year Competition. The competition brings together some of the best young chefs from across the region to pit their skills against each other.
Wesley and John’s mentor Andrew McLeod said:
“The Food Festival is a brilliant idea and we are delighted to be involved. Wesley and John both work very hard and we are proud to have them here with us at The Unicorn. I’m sure the judges will be more than impressed. Hopefully this event will be the launch pad for a great festival and will be a night all of our customers will remember.”
Before they cook for the judges John and Wesley have got a tougher audience to contend with – the press pack! On Thursday 27th September the dynamic duo will be ushering in the Wigan Food and Drink Festival at The Unicorn with a trailblazing event for an invited audience from the media as well as members of the public.
The event, which is already a sell-out, promises some top-notch fayre. Here’s just some of the treats Wesley and John will be offering:
- pressing of autumn game with celeriac cream, hazelnuts and Suka cress;
- marinated red mullet with vegetables a la grecque, pomme dauphine, broad beans, peas and date jus;
- Greaves of Upholland lamb fillet with slow cooked shoulder;
- a tasting of caramel, to include mousse, jelly, foam, ice cream and cream.
Wigan Borough’s Food and Drink Festival, sponsored by TESCO, runs from Friday 5th to Monday 15th October at venues across Wigan Borough.
Other attractions include:
- Wigan Fine Food Trail – highlighting some of the very best dining experiences in Wigan Borough and beyond;
- The Road to Wigan Beer – a guide to some of the best pubs and real ale in the borough;
- Jackbit – the launch of Wigan Borough’s very own cookbook with notable recipes from well-known borough folk from Meena Patak to Stuart Maconie.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Tourism Development Manager Keith Bergman said:
“Our borough may be best known for pies and mint balls, which are both part of our culinary heritage, but we’ve got a lot more to offer. We have a rapidly growing quality restaurant scene with some of the country’s top chefs in charge. We have producers to be proud of and pubs serving quality real ale, some brewed right here in the borough.
“It’s going to be an exciting 10 days and we’re really looking forward to future talent like Wesley and John kicking it all off for us. They’ve got a tough job in front of a hard to please audience but they’re more than up to the job. The menu is ready, the chefs are waiting…let the feast begin!”
The 2007 festival programme is available from Wigan Tourist Information Centre, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust outlets and the partner restaurants. For more information, contact Wigan Tourist Information Centre 01942 825677, or visit www.visitwigan.com/foodfest or www.foodanddrinkfestival.com (External link).
