Emma’s bold menu impresses diners in Wirral Chefs Shine competition

Sep 17 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Emma’s bold menu impresses diners in Wirral Chefs Shine competition

WHEATSHEAF Inn head chef Emma Wombwell successfully pushed the palate of diners in the latest round of Wirral News’ Chefs Shine.

The Neston 24-year-old made a series of brave decisions when compiling her menu, including serving smoked eel as a starter.

But it seems customers lapped up each course, and Emma told the News: “If I don’t win, at least I’ll have broadened people’s horizons.”

The smoked eel was delivered on a bed of beetroot, cooked in four different ways, and the result was a sweet, fresh and tasty salad.

Wallasey diner Mike Gray was certainly impressed.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting the eel and was surprised because it’s 40 years since I’ve had it, which shows how much I like it.

“If I hadn’t known it was eel, I would have thought it was haddock or another smoked fish.

“I would certainly have it again.”

As a twist on proceedings, waiting staff spoke to tables before each course to inform them about ingredients, describing their origins and explaining the chef’s decisions.

The main course was a well-balanced combination of locally produced mallard with a damson sauce - sourced from Emma’s mum’s own land - and served with buttered cabbage and leeks.

Diner Shirley Gray said: “It was lovely with a much stronger taste than normal duck - and I loved the cabbage!”

While Tom Williams appreciated the explanation from front of house staff.

He said: “It made a difference.

“The whole ethos of using local produce is to let us know about it and where it came from.”

For dessert, Emma pulled out all the stops with a toffee apple custard slice alongside a refreshing Cheshire cider sorbet served in a shot glass.

Emma added: “I thought each dish was quite well-balanced and I had a good time.

“I was able to execute each course well and front of house did extremely well to describe everything.”

l Wirral Chefs Shine 2008 is supported by Wirral Council, organisers of the Wirral Tourism Awards for Excellence, The Mersey Partnership, Liverpool Community College and Wirral Met College.