Daniel Taylor, head chef at London’s Fenwick department store restaurant Bond and Brook, and Sudha Shanar Saha, executive head chef at Midlands-based Saffron Group, will compete head-to-head for a prize fund of £10k to help open their own restaurant in Malton.
The pair were chosen from a shortlist of 14 potential candidates to compete in a cook-off, which will be held later this month.
Roddy Bushell, agent for Fitzwilliam [Malton] Estates, who initiated and are funding the Challenge said: “Malton is a wonderful town to start a new business, especially one focused on food, as there is such remarkable quality local produce available. The finalists have shown a real understanding and passion for food and provenance”
The chefs
Taylor, who has worked at Bond and Brook since its launch by Fay Maschler, Simon Davis and catering company Rhubarb last autumn, hopes to launch a reasonably-priced restaurant in Malton serving local, seasonal produce.
“After living in London for a length, my wife and I would strongly welcome a much more personal town where we could make a difference,” he said.
Saha, who currently looks after two Indian restaurants, Saffron in Oldbury, and Saffron Blue in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, said he will create a modern, Indian fine-dining restaurant serving local Yorkshire produce if he wins the challenge.
The final winner will be announced in February and will also play a major part in Malton’s Food Lover’s Festival in May.