The next Jamie?

Recently I had the opportunity to meet Gordon Ramsay at the College of Food, whilst we hosted the National Semi Finals of the 2005 Ramsay Scholorship. Gordon spoke publicly at the awards ceremony and surprisingly demonstrated himself as a highly articulate, sensible and educated individual. He only swore on about two occassions!

Tommorow, I have been invited to take part in the First Round Cook Offs for a new television production hosted by Gordon Ramsay and Giles Coren, Time's Food Editor/ Restaurant Critic. The show, which will be aptly called, 'The F Word', is to be shown in the nine weeks leading up to Christmas on Channel 4. Part of the hour long program (I believe to be scheduled on Sunday evenings, just before watershed at 8PM) will be dedicated to Ramsay leading a kitchen brigade serving members of the public and VIPs. The competition tommorow is to select twelve places on the kitchen brigade.

I was asked to apply in writing, including a photograph of myself and was then interviewed informally by telephone on two ocassions by members of the Production Team. They received almost 1,000 applications nationwide and have selected just 100 individuals to present a dish to Ramsay and other judges at the Hammersmith and West London College, Central London. The dish needs to be pre-prepared and served cold. In my case, it will need to travel over 100 miles with me to London, from Birmingham, before it will be briefly assembled and presented. The judges will select from this round, a group of cooks who will compete on Sunday for a place on the show. The entire audition process will also be filmed, for potential broadcast.

Even if I am unsuccessful, it is exciting to be involved at such a competitive level!! Watch this space!