Valerie Messenger - Amateur Chef of the Year (centre) with judges left to right Elaine Lemm, Fiona Movley, Karen Carlyle and Richard Allen

Dishes which “scream Yorkshire” have won two chefs passionate about cooking and the region's food major accolades in the culinary world.

Robert Ramsden of The General Tarleton near Knaresborough, Harrogate and Valerie Messenger of Linton, Wetherby were awarded the titles of Professional and Amateur Chef of the Year in the 2005 Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition. Not only do they have the honour of being chosen, but they will take centre stage demonstrating their dishes as part of next weekend's Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Valerie's dish of Yorkshire Lamb and Rhubarb and Robert's Cobble Cake with Ampleforth Apples and Wensleydale Cheese took the awards after an exciting cook off by the six finalists at the Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Restaurant in Leeds.

Elaine Lemm, Chair of the Judging Panel commented: “We were really impressed by the imaginative recipes particularly by the clever combination of different flavours and ingredients. The dishes were healthy, full of flavour, technically extremely proficient and it's clear that, as one of the finalists said, “they simply scream Yorkshire.” Ms Lemm is the Food and Wine Editor of Yorkshire Life magazine.

Joining her on the panel were Richard Allen, Head Chef, Fourth Floor Harvey Nichols, Leeds, Karen Carlyle, Chief Executive of The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber and Fiona Movley of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

The competition is organised by the Society as part of its support for the farming industry and with the aim of promoting the use of the region's produce.

Valerie Messenger, winner of the Amateur Chef award said: “I was absolutely thrilled to win - it was exciting, but certainly scarey! I was fine until I began to carve the lamb and then my hands began to shake!“

She added: “I do feel that buying Yorkshire produce has so many benefits. It supports the local economy and the quality of the food is so much better. Our farmers do a great job and deserve our support.”

Robert Ramsden's Apple Cobble Cake is already a hit with customers at The General Tarleton. “I developed what was essentially a carrot cake recipe bringing in the apple and cheese elements and it's been incredibly popular and successful - it is so very Yorkshire! Winning the award is not only wonderful for me, but great for The General Tarleton and to emphasis the importance of supporting Yorkshire suppliers.” Robert's connection with The General Tarleton stretches back eight years and for the last two years he has been Head Chef.

Robert and Valerie will demonstrate their dishes in public for the first time in the Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre at Countryside Live where the cookery demonstrations by chefs from across the region are a major feature of the two day event.

Countryside Live tickets are now on sale and cost £7 for Adults and £6 for concessions. There is free admission for children. The show opens at 9.30am each day and closes at 5pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

For further information please check out the website www.countrysidelive.co.uk or call on 01423 541000.

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