Chefs whipping up a storm in Newbury Market Place

A total of seven chefs are ready to do battle at Newbury Market Place in this year’s Chefs Challenge, which heralds the start of a two week health initiative called Feel good Fortnight.

Armed with a small basket of their own herbs and spices they’ll need to be flight of foot as they dash round the market buying fresh ingredients. Up against the clock they’ll have to conjure up a healthy meal in just 20 minutes to satisfy the palates of the judges which include Anthony Cox from the Donnington Valley Hotel and Lesley Wyman from the NHS Berkshire West.

The chefs who have enlisted are Jean-Marc Bidegain from the Compton Swan, Laurent Lebeau, from the Red House Marsh Benham, Graeme Forrest from La Petit Square and his colleague Seth Coulston from the Square, Murrey Jackson from the Bunk Inn, Justin Brown from the Carnarvon Arms and Jamie Hilton from the Queens Hotel in the Market Place. They’ll be under starter’s orders at 9am in Newbury Market Place beside the Town Hall on Saturday 17thApril.

Justin Brown, who won the Healthiest Dish last year said, “I’m looking forward to this, I competed in Masterchef and I’ve just scooped Best Pie in the 2010 Great British Pub Awards, it’s always good fun competing against local chefs.”

Newbury Events Manager, Caroline Paus said she was delighted that the challenge had attracted such a high calibre of chefs, “We’re spoilt for choice with some superb restaurants and pubs in West Berkshire, I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Feel good fortnight is a two week health initiative of 140 events happening all over West Berkshire. It begins on Saturday 17th April and will finish on Friday 30th April. Activities include a Mass Tai Chi session in the Market Place and free taster sports sessions at gyms and leisure centres.

Jeremy Speed is an NHS public health specialist and is leading the campaign. He said “Feel good fortnight gives people the opportunity to try new activities to improve their health, it’s also an excellent way of highlighting how much help, advice and support there is for people who want to get fitter.”

For more information on the Chefs Challenge competition contact Pete Atkinson on 07774 121352/ 01635 578474 or email pete.atkinson1@btinternet.com

For information on Feel good fortnight, please contact Caroline Paus on 0845 003 9953 or caroline@newburyevents.co.uk or go to http://www.newburyevents.co.uk