Praise for Adam Bowers of the Portrait House as he serves up a second helping of Wirral Chefs Shine

Sep 22 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

IT was compliments to the chef as Adam Bowers made his second appearance in Wirral Chefs Shine.

The 23-year-old from the Portrait House in Hoylake said he played it too safe last year and served up a much more complex menu.

The proof wasn’t just in the pudding – Adam promised diners would see the confidence and experience he’s gained this year on every plate.

The main event was a generous helping of rack of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes with bacon, honey-glazed chantenay carrots and fine beans wrapped in Parma ham, finished with a damson and chocolate reduction.

Adam’s menu finished with a white chocolate cheesecake with an Amaretti biscuit, topped with milk chocolate mousse and finished with a dark chocolate crisp.

Diners raved about Adam’s starter, a trio of mini fish dishes comprising tuna nicoise with a poached quail’s egg, a king scallop with black pudding, pea puree and crispy Parma ham and a mini salmon en croute.

Diane Hind, of Hoylake, said: “It was excellent, I couldn’t fault it.

“I loved the starter and I liked all the different textures and the fish.

“I wouldn’t think of putting a mini black pudding with a scallop but it was really nice.”

Dave Phillips, of Wallasey, said: “I was dubious about the starter at first but it was delicious.

“The lamb was cooked perfectly, just the way I like it.

“I’m not really a chocolate person because I normally find it too rich but that was perfect.

“Overall it was very good – compliments to the chef!”

George, Eileen, Jacqui and Stephen Swindlehurst try to attend every Wirral Chefs Shine night and were at Gem last month.

George is a big fan of the competition and praised Adam’s menu.

But he wants to lay down a challenge to future finalists.

He said: “We think someone should be brave and do a vegetarian meal!”

Audrey Evans from Bebington was dining with friends Lillian Harris from Wallasey and Brenda Brayley from Oxton.

Audrey said: “The starter was absolutely gorgeous and it was so well-presented. The lamb in the main course was gorgeous.”

Adam said he was pleased with his efforts.

He said: “I was really happy with the result. I wanted to show what I could do and it was all fresh, made on the day and locally-sourced.

“One of the customers said the starter was the best they’ve had anywhere and that it was really well-balanced, which was good to hear.”

Adam spent three days working on trial runs of his menu and said it helped on the night.

He added: “I felt relaxed and confident in what I was doing.

“I was just happy to be part of the whole thing again but this time I feel like it’s a really good opportunity for me to win.”

Wirral Chefs Shine 2010 is supported by Wirral Council, the Mersey Partnership, Liverpool Community College, Wirral Met College and The Chocolate Cellar.

l FIND out who our sixth and final finalist is on September 29.