Chefs From London's The Salt Yard Win First and Third Place in Spanish Young Chef of the Year 2011

CAMBRIDGE, England, January 25, 2011 - A London restaurant has taken dual honours in a competition to find the
best young Spanish chef in Britain.

Chefs from The Salt Yard, Mandie Kruger and Michelle Kleingeld,
respectively won first and third place in the Foods from Spain Spanish Young
Chef of the Year, in the finale of the contest.

They were competing against six other finalists in the cook off stage of
the nationwide competition, which follows a paper-based first round. The
competition is held each year to encourage talented chefs up to the age of 25
to explore and experiment with the exciting variety of Spanish fresh produce
and other Spanish ingredients.

As well as taking the title of Spanish Young Chef of the Year 2011,
24-year-old Mandie has won a week in the kitchens of Akelarre, one of the
few restaurants in Spain to hold three Michelin stars, under renowned chef
Pedro Subijana.

Mandie's menu included a starter of pan-fried mackerel with a salad of
fresh persimon, semi-dried tomatoes and a garlic dressing; a main course of
char-grilled spiced Iberico loin with lentil stew, marinated baby carrots and
piquillo sauce; and baked almond cheesecake with a strawberry and amontillado
ice cream for dessert.

A London-based student took second place in the competition - William
Chillia, a student at Westminster Kingsway College.

María José Sevilla, Director of Foods from Spain, said: "The quality of
entries we are seeing in this competition is getting better each year. Judges
were really impressed by the quality and presentation of Mandie's food, which
showed off the exciting flavours and versatility Spanish ingredients have to
offer."

The competition was judged by Director of Foods from Spain, María José
Sevilla, chef and author Peter Gordon, President of the Guild of Food
Writers, Jane Suthering, and chef lecturer José Souto.

Foods from Spain expects to launch the Spanish Young Chef of the Year
2012 competition later this year.

Notes to Editors

- The Salt Yard is based on Goodge Street. The Salt Yard Group opened its
sister restaurant, The Opera Tavern, in Soho on Thursday of last week.

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Dominic Weaver, RED Communications Ltd, on +44(0)1480-465953,
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or

Ashleigh Mackenzie, RED Communications Ltd, on +44(0)1480465953,
Email: ashleigh@redcomm.co.uk

For more images or information, please contact: Dominic Weaver, RED Communications Ltd, on +44(0)1480-465953, Email: dominic at redcomm.co.uk; or Ashleigh Mackenzie, RED Communications Ltd, on +44(0)1480465953, Email: ashleigh at redcomm.co.uk