South West Chef of the Year 2013 ‘Best Dish’ Winner Pops-Up with Mike Tweedie from Gidleigh Park

Taunton Food Fest in association with The Scrumper present: Guest chef, Mike Tweedie (Gidleigh Park).

1 February 2014 7.30pm for 8pm at The Scrumper Taunton

It started with a pie…

…So you may be thinking: A pie?

Steve Ashworth, described by his wife as “a legend in his own lunchtime” (due to his love of frequenting fine restaurants) entered SW Chef of the Year 2013 and won the Best Dish class. Steve is a foodie, an accountant by day and an enthusiastic home cook by night. Having won the SWCOTY competition, he wondered what he could now do to build on this and promote food across Somerset and the South West. A throw away comment by Mark Tutton, owner of The Scrumper, Taunton and a few interested tweets from chef Mike Tweedie led to ‘Taunton Food Fest Chefs’ Night’ being born!

Tickets (limited to just 35 are available) and can be booked online by clicking here. Payments will be made via Paypal to ensure security for all.

Cancellations will be accepted up to 24th January 2014 (there is a £15 per ticket non-refundable deposit) as orders would have already been placed for ingredients and staff confirmed. All profits will go to charity.

Michael Tweedie is one of the most talented chefs of his generation. He is the rising star of luxury hotel Gidleigh Park, in Chagford, where he has been working for 12 months. The locally born chef won the prestigious title of South West Professional Chef of the Year 2012.

After achieving an NVQ at Exeter College, Mike took his first job as Chef de Partie at The Castle Hotel, Taunton before moving to work with Hywel Jones at the Michelin-starred Lucknam Park, near Bath. Initially working as Chef de Partie, Mike later became Junior Sous Chef and it was whilst working at Lucknam Park that he entered and won the Professional class of the South West Chef of the Year competition 2012. At the end of 2012 Mike began working at two Michelin star Gidleigh Park as Junior Sous Chef with Michael Caines. As a result of his success in the competition, he has recently been promoted to Sous Chef.

Mike likes classic and modern food. Although not classically trained he knows lots of classical dishes. He likes to push his own boundaries and learn modern techniques but unless you have the classics you won’t go far. Mike says “you can’t just use a water bath to cook everything. You have to know how to roast a piece of meat. You need those basics to be a success”.

The menu gives little away – expect to be surprised with some taste twists along the way!

Owners Mark & Sally Tutton live amongst the Orchards of New Cross and Burrow Hill which is where inspiration for the business stemmed from. The Scrumper Deli & Canteen opened in Taunton in June 2010 and has steadily built up a great reputation in the town and is now one of the places to meet at. 2014 will see The Scrumper grow with a second venture.

Steve Ashworth is an accountant with Smith & Williamson by day and a foodie by night (and weekend). Steve recently won the Best Dish in South West Chef of the Year 2013. Steve is a follower of anything and everything to do with food and a supported of food producers, suppliers and restaurants. He has built up a long list of who’s who across the world of chefs and restaurants, mainly through Twitter. Steve is proud to call many of the chefs his friend.

Steve is also a Taste of the West judge and a part time radio presenter on The Food Show (BCFM) on a Wednesday from 12 noon to 2pm (93.2 fm).

A keen home cook, he likes to try new and interesting food and re-create these in his kitchen. He also likes to eat out regularly with his wife, Jane.