Local chef to compete in prestigious gourmet cook-off

Ed Atwell (pictured), Sous Chef at Birmingham’s gourmet Loves Restaurant, is set to compete in a prestigious national cooking competition, going up against chefs from around the country for the chance to win a career-changing Michelin-starred experience, along with other coveted prizes.

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

The Roux Scholarship was founded almost two decades ago by famed chefs Albert and Michel Roux as a rigorous test of culinary skill and excellence. Six chefs from around the country will compete for the opportunity to cook and train for a 3 month stage in any 3 Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.

Ed Atwell enjoyed success in the regional finals, which whittled eighteen contestants down to six finalists. He is no stranger to competitive cooking, having previously competed for the titles of Junior Chef of the Year and the British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year.

But if nerves get the better of him in the run-up to the 2^nd of April, Ed can turn to Steve Love, his Head Chef at Loves Restaurant. Steve was the winner of the Roux Scholarship in 1997. Speaking about the competition, he said: ‘For me, this was the biggest competition in the country and the most prestigious. To win opened so many doors and I have never looked back.’

The Roux Scholarship finals will take place at the sumptuous Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London’s Hyde Park on 2nd April 2012. Dine Birmingham wishes Ed the very best of luck.

You can enjoy exclusive discounts at Loves Restaurant, as well as over a hundredrestaurants across Birmingham and the UK, with a Gastro Card. Find out more here.

Cook up a perfect Christmas with these top chefs’ tips

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

It’s that time of year again, just in case you hadn’t heard. It’s the season for spiced nuts, fancy appetisers, succulent roast birds and gorgeously indulgent desserts.

Whether you’re planning to feed the world or just your special loved ones this holiday season, delve into the Gastro Card’s guide to cooking a perfect Christmas, featuring tempting recipes from top Birmingham chefs.

For starters, you might choose to have a go at the asparagus with poached quail’s eggs, which comes courtesy of Steve Love at Love’s Restaurant. Anderson’s Bar & Grill offers up the honey-glazed dexter boston rib of beef, while Michelin-starred Edmunds suggests a rich chocolate marquise with mango coulis.

But don’t worry if you’re a stickler for tradition at the Christmas table. Not only does the GastroGuide feature a classic recipe for roast turkey and stuffing, it includes a timed schedule to help you cook and serve up your pièce de résistance with military precision.

Get your free Christmas GastroGuide online right here

The Gastro Card is accepted by more than 300 restaurants across the Midlands, all of which offer exclusive dining offers to Gastro Card holders.