WIRRAL CHEFS SHINE 2008: Award-winning chef Robert Bryson is ready for a new challenge

Jul 30 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

chefs

AWARD winning chef Robert Bryson has prepared three unique dishes at Sheldrakes, Lower Heswall, in preparation for Wirral Chefs Shine 2008.

The 22-year-old chef from New Brighton started his career six years ago, working in various eateries, but when he started as junior sous chef in August 2005 at Sheldrakes his prospects flourished.

A few months after he joined the restaurant, the head chef left and Robert had to take control of the kitchen over the Christmas period.

As head chef he carried Sheldrakes through its most successful festive season yet, oversaw a random health and safety check, re-created a new autumn menu and completed his NVQ training at college.

He was awarded Apprentice of the Year in 2006 by Scientiam Training Development Agency.

Robert said: “I really love being a chef but I enjoy it most when I get to be creative.

“I like to play around with flavours and different ingredients until I create something really unique.

“Earlier this month I created a chilli sponge and ginger ice cream with lemongrass syrup - this went down really well.

“I always try to keep the kitchen organised and calm.

“It gets really busy here and we’re sometimes serving up to 200 people at a time but we always cope fine.

“I like challenges and Chef Shine was a great one.

“I wanted to create something really special with the ingredients I was given and I think I’ve managed to do that.

“In the future I would like to be a chef who travels so I can learn new things - I don’t think you can ever learn enough about cooking.”

Wirral Chefs Shine at Sheldrakes, Banks Road, Lower Heswall, takes place in the evening of Tuesday, August 12. The cost of the meal is £14.

To book, call the restaurant on 342 1556.