A CHEF from Darlington has won through to the final of a competition to find Britain's best young chef.
The Roux Scholarship has been running for over 30 years and is judged by Michel Roux Jnr (BBC Saturday Kitchen, Kitchen Impossible, Masterchef), Brian Turner CBE (BBC's Ready, Steady, Cook and Saturday Kitchen) and James Martin (BBC Saturday Kitchen, This Morning and Saturday Morning with James Martin) among many other Michelin-starred chefs.
Read more: This London gastro pub won an award - and the head chef is from Darlington
Ruth Hansom was born and bred in Darlington and attended Longfield Academy. She is now Head Chef of The Princess of Shoreditch in East London.
Ruth said: "I'm a bit nervous but I've done competitions before so hopefully I'll be alright.
"There is some pressure because in a working kitchen you've got people to help if you need it but for a competition like this, I'm on my own."
Darlington's answer to Michel Roux Jnr is not just the only woman in the grand final, she was also the only woman in the regional finals as well.
Read more: 'If boys can do it, we can do it': Darlington's rugby girls prove victorious
Ruth said: "I think unfortunately it's probably a representation of the industry as a whole. Who knows, maybe I was the only woman who applied, you just don't know."
This is not the first prestigious culinary competition in which Ruth has participated, in 2020, at just 24, Ruth gained great praise as a finalist on BBC 2’s The Great British Menu.
Ruth competed in the regional final of the Roux Scholarship in London on Monday, April 11.
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here