Charlotte Heath, aged 15 from Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls, Warwickshire, has today (2 December 2011) been named the Red Tractor beef and lamb Mmmake it with Mince National Champion 2011 by celebrity chef and TV presenter James Martin.
Promising young chef, Charlotte, will now enjoy a money-can’t-buy day with Mmmake it with Mince judge, James Martin.
The prize, which has been tailor-made by James, will see her enjoy an all-expense paid trip to London where she will go backstage to watch the filming of James’ Saturday Kitchen cooking show and meet the guests. Charlotte will then enjoy both lunch and dinner with James at two of the capital's top restaurants.
The Stratford student impressed judges with her Lamb and Date Patty Pan Tagine during the live finals, beating five other regional winners to be named the 2011 National Champion.
This year’s competition received hundreds of entries from 11-16 year old students across the country who each submitted their original Red Tractor beef and lamb mince recipes.
Charlotte was one of 47 regional finalists chosen to battle it out for this prestigious culinary crown during six live cook-off finals hosted by James Martin.
Speaking about her impressive win, Charlotte Heath said, "I’m so excited to have won. I didn’t expect to even make the regional finals and cook in front of James, so winning the national prize is amazing!
"I really enjoy making up new recipes and testing new dishes, so to be chosen as National Champion gives me a huge confidence boost! I can’t wait to go down to London to spend the day with James and I’m really looking forward to watching Saturday Kitchen from backstage!"
James Martin said: "Charlotte excelled during the regional finals and impressed us with her innovative recipe, attention to detail and passion for cooking. Charlotte’s Lamb and Date Patty Pan Tagine was delicious, well presented and nutritious and the standard of catering was extremely high.
"With so many fantastic entries this year choosing our National Champion was tough, however Charlotte really shone and I’m thrilled to name her our Mmmake it with Mince National Champion 2011.
"I’m certain that all of our finalists could make it as top chefs and I’d love to see them go on to pursue careers in the food business."
Denise Spencer-Walker, Food Advisor for Red Tractor beef and lamb, said: "We received hundreds of inventive and exciting recipe ideas this year, so whittling them down to just 47 regional finalists was a real challenge.
"Choosing Charlotte over many other budding chefs was a difficult decision, but her enthusiasm for good food gave her the winning edge.
"I hope that all the students who entered will be inspired to make cooking a bigger part of their day-to-day lives both now and in the future."
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