Woolwich man is one of 33 chefs to reach the semi-finals of prestigious cooking competition

A chef from Woolwich has been cooking up a storm during the last year.

Tristan Downes is one of 33 semi-finalist in the prestigious National Chef of the Year competition – which was won previously by Gordon Ramsay.

The head chef at Brunswick House impressed Michelin-starred chef, Paul Ainsworth, who leads the judging panel, with a stunning three course menu.

He said: “To get through was amazing and a great achievement. I hope with my next dish the judges understand the origin and feel the connection to the dish and produce as I have over the last year.”

Mr Downes’ menu told his story of the pandemic through food. 

Menus had to include a vegetarian starter incorporating ingredients on the KNORR® Future 50 Foods list. 

These ingredients have been identified with the support of the WWF as having a positive impact on the environment, by improving the diversity of the crops we consume as well as having excellent nutritional credentials. 

The main course focused on supporting British suppliers on land and at sea with a dish incorporating both meat and fish.

Desserts had to reflect the start of the pandemic, when ingredients were sparse, and households turned to baking for comfort.

To get to the final, Mr Downes is currently working on a small signature dish of his choice. 

The semi-finalists have been asked to sum up their pandemic year of 2020-2021 in just two to three bites. 

Judges will be looking for a dish which reflects each chef’s personality and tells a story.

The top ten chefs will be revealed live on the Craft Guild of Chefs Instagram channel by the chair of the judges, Paul Ainsworth and organiser of the competition, David Mulcahy on Thursday, August 12.