Move over Gregg Wallace – there’s a new Masterchef in town. And he’s not even into double figures yet.
Winnersh Primary School pupil Oliver Vass is one of the top 10 pea chefs in the country, but to be crowned the best he needs your help.
The nine-year-old has been shortlisted in this year’s Young Pea Chef of the Year contest for his innovative recipe Peas In Blankets. The recipe fuses the small, round and green vegetable with bacon in a new twist that will tickle tastebuds and delight pea eaters everywhere.
Young Oliver is one of hundreds of entries received in the contest that has been cooked up by the Yes Peas! Campaign in conjunction with Waitrose. Children aged 4-12 were challenged to create a recipe using peas.
Oliver’s recipe was shortlisted by a panel of judges, including TV chef Rachel Green, Waitrose Frozen Foods Buying Manager Michael Simpson-Jones, and representatives from Birds Eye and Penguin Foods.
Now, he’s asking for Wokingham’s support by voting for his recipe. The young chef with the most votes will be crowned Young Pea Chef of the Year 2016 and will win £500 worth of cooking equipment for their school from Waitrose.
Karen Vass, Oliver’s mother, said: “I’m so excited for Oliver and impressed with this simple but successful idea that he has come up with. We even enjoyed them with our Christmas dinner this year. It is a great start for Oliver as he has his heart set on opening his own restaurant one day.”
And Oliver was overjoyed and surprised to be in the final 10.
He said: “I was running around the kitchen when I found out. I was very excited.”
His creativity in the kitchen is something he wants to continue with. The mature youngster knows where his career lies.
“I want to be chef in future. It’s something I’m very passionate about,” he said.
TV chef and Yes Peas! campaign ambassador, Rachel Green, can see the standard that Oliver has set.
She said: “The level of entries we received from children across the country was outstanding and we’re delighted so many schools and families took the time to get creative in the kitchen and cook up their pea inspired recipes. Peas are incredibly nutritious and versatile and we hope that the competition will inspire many British children to see peas as an exciting and tasty ingredient.”
“We’d like to congratulate Oliver on being chosen as a finalist and hope Wokingham residents show their support by voting.”
To vote, visit the Yes Peas! Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YesPeas.
