Wing Yip has named a Birmingham cook as its ‘2013 Young Chef of the Year’.
Joseph Vinten, 22, fought off competition from 12 other finalists to lift the coveted title, which celebrates the culinary expertise of young people in the field of oriental cuisine.
The University College Birmingham student impressed judges including celebrity TV chef Ching He Huang, Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell and Peter Griffiths, president of the British Culinary Federation with his dishes including lobster spring rolls and duo of Asian quail to win a trip to Hong Kong.
The national competition - in its inaugural year - was launched by the oriental supermarket chain to give 18 to 25-year-olds an opportunity to boost their careers.
“The increasing popularity of Pan Asian cuisine in the UK is extremely exciting,” Wing Yip, chairman of Wing Yip said.
“We launched the competition first and foremost to celebrate Oriental cookery with its delicious flavors and aromas, but also to identify the region’s most talented young chefs to encourage them to carry the tradition forward and preserve the legacy of this glorious cuisine.”
Ruby Rainey from Keele University was awarded second prize and £500 of Wing Yip vouchers, while Valerio Grimaldi-Plant came third winning £250 of vouchers.
“The talent in the final line up confirmed that there is a hot bed of culinary promise and the final proved to be a fierce competition,” He Huang said.
“Winning the title will open many doors for Joseph and offers a helping hand at a stage in their career which can be tricky to navigate.”
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