We had the great honour of launching the Robbie Millar Scholarship just over a year ago, when the title to commemorate the work of one of Ireland's most brilliant culinary greats was won by the ultra-talented Chris McClurg from Belfast's white-hot SHU restaurant.
This year, local Holywood cook and Westminster Kingsway College student Ben Arnold grabbed the prize from amongst the eight finalists, and he scoops the many fine prizes – stages at The River Café, in Valrhona chocolate and Illy Coffee as well as a bunch of goodies – and the kudos as the second winner of this respected scholarship.
For the record, the finalists were:
Ben Arnold Westminster Kingsway College, London
· David Scott SHU Restaurant, Belfast
· Rose Greene The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
· Alexander Greene (SRC) Deanes Restaurant, Belfast
· Michael Eminson Northcote Manor, Lancashire
· Thomas Parker Northcote Manor, Lancashire
· Andrew Craig Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Derry
· Danielle Barry Restaurant 23, Warrenpoint
Congrats to them all, and remember these names for the future!
