A STAITHES chef has made it through to a new ITV day-time cookery series, Taste the Nation.
Howard Pearson (18) is an apprentice at Saultz Bistro in Hinderwell – his full-time Yorkshire Coast College work placement.
He will go to London on 15 January where the North Yorkshire team are competing against another 15 counties in a national c
ookery knock-out.
Contestants, who are both amateur and professional, are mentored by the nation’s finest celebrity chefs and judged by some of the country’s fiercest critics.
The show involves contestants being mentored and master-classed by one of the nation’s chefs and cookery skills are pushed to the max.
The show is not for the faint-hearted and contestants have to prove they can impress a celebrity chef.
Howard thinks the programme will be aired sometime in March or April, having filmed at Swinton Park Hotel, Masham about two weeks ago.
He was part of a team of four from North Yorkshire including one woman from Scarborough.
Rosemary Shrager, celebrity chef, set Howard the challenge of cooking a starter of cod loin wrapped in bacon with puree.
Owner of Saultz Bistro, Steve Sault, said: “Howard started with us about six months ago.
“He is very good, a very quick learner prepping, making starters and mains.
“It’s good promotion for the bistro, really good feedback.
“He has the potential to win and confidence and ability.
“We are really looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”
Saultz Bistro is run by Steve and his wife Sharon, managed by Jackie Corner and chefs David Earl and James Owen-Taylor.
They hope to extend the business to include accommodation shortly.
