A CHEF from an award winning hotel has cooked up a storm to win a national award.

Danny Young, junior sous chef from Northcote in Langho, was revealed as the winner of the young national chef of the year award on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old from Oswaldtwistle had finished in second and third place in the past two years but has now managed to go one better.

Mr Young was among the 10 finalists who were tasked to prepare a three course meal, judged by some of the country’s most well-known chefs.

He said: “To be honest, it’s not really sunk in yet.

“I started seven years ago and I didn’t see myself going on to win awards in what I’m doing.

“It’s not just a job, I’ve always wanted to be a chef but you don’t think about winning awards in front of all these people especially with the calibre of judges in the room.

“This is the third time I’ve entered and I’ve worked so hard over the last few months to develop my skills.

“It’s a very big achievement for me.”

The young chef cooked a starter of Norwegian haddock with salt and vinegar black peas and a main course of rare breed Miso beef, Oriental mushrooms, crispy kale and coriander.

He completed the two hour live cook off with a dessert of warm orchard apple syrup sponge and Horlicks ice cream.

Nigel Haworth, chef patron and joint managing director at Northcote, praised Mr Young for achieving his goal.

He said: “If anybody deserves it Danny does.

“He’s really worked tirelessly and he’s very dedicated.

“He’s a quiet guy so for him to come out and do this for three years and then eventually win it, I’m so pleased for him.”

The event was hosted by the Craft Guild of Chefs in London and was judged more than 20 of the country’s most well-known chefs.

Mr Young prizes for winning include a stage to the value of £2,500 and the chance to join Michel Roux Jr on a culinary trip to Norway.

David Mulcahy, organiser of the national chef of the year and vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs said: “I think this year has been one of the most hotly anticipated finals we’ve seen for some time.

“The level of cooking was incredible and all ten finalists gave our judges a very difficult task.”

Mark Sargeant, young national chef of the year ambassador, said: “It’s been an exciting and close final, and the future of the industry is in safe hands with these chefs.

“Winning this title is simply the start of what will be a long and successful culinary career and I’ll certainly be following Danny Young over the coming years to see where this title takes them.”