The event was expertly compered by Kevin McGuinness aka The Restaurant Pimp who kept the audience enthralled and soothed the tension with his witty banter. Photos were kindly taken free of charge by expert photographer Mel Boyle. The face of Team Chef, Dean Coppard from Uluru, Armagh was pitted against Food Belfast critic John Ferris in a race against the clock to produce a winning meal in thirty minutes.

This event was the launchpad for NOW’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, marking 10 years of providing people with learning difficulties, disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders with opportunities to train and gain paid employment. Conor and Janette are shining examples of how NOW works with both working towards NVQs in Catering, Barista and Food Hygiene Certificates in NOW’s social economy business Loaf Catering. It was crab on the menu for both teams and it didn’t take long for temperatures to rise. Kevin took this opportunity to turn the audience’s attention towards an interactive quiz.

The event was sponsored by Quizdom, a local manufacturer of interactive quiz handsets and proved a huge hit with the audience, and allowed the chefs a chance to get their heads down. With a nail-biting ten second countdown both meals were presented on the gong, or thereabouts! The audience were asked to vote using their handsets and the result was a resounding...dead heat! Trophies were presented by Basil McCrea MLA to NOW trainees with Kevin and the chefs gratefully receiving bottles of Feckin’ Irish Whiskey, kindly donated by Feckin’ themselves.

A resounding success for all involved, this marks the very first of a year of NOW 10 celebratory events. Keep your eyes peeled!