A CATERING student who left the mountains of Nepal for a life in the North-East has scaled new heights by proving he is one of the best chefs in the region.
Darlington College student Man Thapa was crowned top chef in an inter-college competition involving trainees from all over the North-East.
The 20-year-old, who now lives in Darlington, captured the attention of judges with his chicken chasseur, which he had to prepare from a basket of ingredients in just 90 minutes.
Eight colleges were involved in the competition including Gateshead and Middlesbrough. Previously he had wowed judges with his pan-fried sea bass to win the elimination round against New College Durham.
Originally from Bokhara in Nepal, he moved three and a half years ago to Darlington where his family settled after his father retired from the Gurkhas.
He is studying an NVQ Level 3 in hospitality and catering at the college and hopes one day to be head chef at one of the top hotels in London.
Man, who also works at the town’s Tapas Bar, said he was thrilled to have won. “My family are just so proud of my achievement,” he said. “I love Darlington, it is such a beautiful place and this is my dream college as the tutors are so great.”
Darlington College tutor Donna Joyce said: “Competition standards were exceptionally high and Man has done incredibly well to win this hard-fought contest.
“He performs so well in the kitchen under pressure and his passion for cooking comes through in the quality of the food he presents.”
