Judges pick eight Euro Toques Young Chef of the Year 2019 finalists

Judges for the Euro Toque Young Chef of the Year decided that eight of the fourteen semi-finalists deserved a chance to compete in the finals, having displayed "exceptional talent" in the semi-finals. 

Myrtle chef owner Anna Haugh,  joint chef-patron at Marcus Wareing's eponymous restaurant at The Berkeley Hotel in London Shauna Froydenlund,  Euro-Toques commissioner general Gareth Mullins and chef owner of  Aimsir, Jordan Bailey oversaw the semi-finals, in which the young chefs' technical and improvisation skills were put to the test. 

They were tasked with making a classic sabayon and a dish using two mystery ingredients - cockels and monkfish - over the course of two hours. 

The chefs selected were James Dobson of Potager, Daniel Hannigan and Grainne Mullins, respectively of Mr S. and Lignum - which are set to open in the coming months - Karan Mittal of Ananda, Bastible's Gareth O'Brien and Alison Tierney of Dax, as well as 2018 finalists Attila Galambos of Aniar and The Greenhouse's Matthew Stafford. 

As a reward for making it through to the finals, the young chefs will go on a "gastronomic tour," attend the Food on the Edge summit in Galway and visit food producers around the country to learn about local ingredients. 

The finals will take place at the Dublin Cookery School on November 10th, with guest judges including Michel Roux Jr., Paul Flynn, Margot Janse and Gareth Mullins. Finalists will take a last technical test, which could see them cook one or two dishes using ingredients chosen by the judges.