A CHEF from Darlington has won through to the final of a competition to find Britain's best young chef.

The Roux Scholarship has been running for over 30 years and is judged by Michel Roux Jnr (BBC Saturday Kitchen, Kitchen Impossible, Masterchef), Brian Turner CBE (BBC's Ready, Steady, Cook and Saturday Kitchen) and James Martin (BBC Saturday Kitchen, This Morning and Saturday Morning with James Martin) among many other Michelin-starred chefs.

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Ruth Hansom was born and bred in Darlington and attended Longfield Academy. She is now Head Chef of The Princess of Shoreditch in East London.

The Northern Echo: Ruth Hansom, from Darlington, has made it to the grand final of the Roux Scholarship next weekRuth Hansom, from Darlington, has made it to the grand final of the Roux Scholarship next week

Ruth said: "I'm a bit nervous but I've done competitions before so hopefully I'll be alright.

"There is some pressure because in a working kitchen you've got people to help if you need it but for a competition like this, I'm on my own."

Darlington's answer to Michel Roux Jnr is not just the only woman in the grand final, she was also the only woman in the regional finals as well.

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Ruth said: "I think unfortunately it's probably a representation of the industry as a whole. Who knows, maybe I was the only woman who applied, you just don't know."

This is not the first prestigious culinary competition in which Ruth has participated, in 2020, at just 24, Ruth gained great praise as a finalist on BBC 2’s The Great British Menu.

Ruth competed in the regional final of the Roux Scholarship in London on Monday, April 11.

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