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Chef, 21, wins place at world's top restaurant
Bo Wilson and Benedict Moore-Bridger18 Nov 2008
A TRAINEE chef from London has won a competition to work at the world's best restaurant.
David Powell, 21, a student at Westminster Kingsway College - which has Jamie Oliver, Antony Worrall Thompson and Ainsley Harriott among its alumni - is to work at El Bulli in Spain after inventing three dishes using Spanish fruit and vegetables.
He got the job after beating competition from all over the country to win a cook-off final and be named Spanish Young Chef of the Year.
The Foods from Spain competition was set up to promote the country's fresh produce in Britain.
It was judged by Peter Gordon, co-owner of the Providores and Tapa Room restaurant in Marylebone, and food writer and director of foods from Spain, María José Sevilla.
Mr Powell's menu featured a starter of cherry smoked venison with raspberry red chard salad, and a main course of spiced duck breast, chorizo mash, glacé carrots, creamed cabbage and serrano ham, with a cherry jus. Pudding was a blackberry frangipane tart, strawberry jus soup, cherimoya foam and persimmon sorbet.
It impressed the judges so much that he won a coveted work experience placement at El Bulli, which has been named best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine for the last three years.
Ms Sevilla said: "We were overwhelmed with the quality of entries from all over Britain. David's cooking on the day showed imaginative and intelligent use of Spanish fresh produce and his menu and skills really won over the judges."
Mr Powell will now be working with head chef at the restaurant, Ferran Adria, whose 35-course menu attracts about two million people a year to try to book a table at his dining room.
Mr Adria, who is promoting his new book, A Day At El Bulli, recently revealed he actually wants to eat at McDonald's.
He said: "What is the alternative, for the same price? It's ages since I went there, but I want to go back."
Reader views (1)
Did he really want to advertise on behalf of McDonalds - or are They his SPONSOR for this item?
Could have just gone there and they told us how disgusting it was - It would have been more believable.
- Howard, Herts UK, 18/11/2008 21:25
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