Trainee chef wins El Bulli placement

David Alun Powell, a catering student at Westminster Kingsway College, wins himself the chance to work with Ferran Adria at his Spanish restaurant El Bulli

A catering student at London`s Westminster Kingsway College has won his way to the kitchens at the World`s Best Restaurant, El Bulli.

David Alun Powell, 21, will spend three days in Ferran Adria`s kitchens in Spain as part of his prize for winning the Spanish Young Chef of the Year competition.

The competition, run by Foods from Spain, and the first of its kind, is designed to inspire trainee chefs up to the age of 23 to experiment with seasonal Spanish produce and create dishes which reflect the best of Spanish cuisine.

Powell`s menu - a starter of Cherry Smoked Venison with Raspberry Red Chard Salad; a main course of Spiced Duck Breast, Chorizo Mash, Glac? Carrots, Creamed Cabbage and Serrano Ham, with a Cherry Jus; and Blackberry Frangipane Tart, Strawberry Jus Soup, Cherimoya Foam and Persimon Sorbet for dessert - won over judges Peter Gordon of the Providores and Tapa Room restaurants, Foods from Spain director MarGa Jos» Sevilla, and chef lecturer Jos» Souto in a cook off final at the weekend.

Sevilla said: "David proved that he had what it takes to deliver great quality, exciting food on the day. He really deserves his title of Spanish Young Chef of the Year, and I am sure that his experience at El Bulli will be just one of the many culinary highlights he has ahead of him.

Powell will spend a week in Spain, incorporating three days in the kitchens at El Bulli.

Stages at the restaurant owned by Adria are notoriously difficult to arrange. British chefs known for completing stages with the world`s best chef include Maze`s Jason Atherton and Anthony Flinn.

Win a cooking trip to El Bulli