大象传媒

19-year-old Tim Cottrill from Darley, near Harrogate, is very enthusiastic about food; from eating out, to making it himself. From an early age Tim has had an interest in food, as he explains;

"I first started when I was old enough to stand by the kitchen counter and be a nuisance. I started baking with Mum when I was about four or five, then went on to peeling carrots. By the age of 11 or 12 I used to cook the occasional meal for the family, simple things like shepherds pie and spaghetti bolognese."

Although Tim has always cooked, his first professional kitchen experience came at the age of 15, after his enthusiasm landed him a part time job as a Course Host at Betty's Cookery School in Harrogate.

Then at 16, Tim went on to experience working in a restaurant kitchen when he was offered a part time job at a local Italian restaurant in Harrogate.

"That same summer I went down to London and did three days of work in the Paternoster Chop House next to St Pauls. That was really jumping in at the deep end! It was such an amazingly professional kitchen. It really got me fired up."

In 2007 Tim saw an advert for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition and thought, "I haven鈥檛 got anything to lose. I鈥檒l go for it."

He was delighted when he won the amateur section of the competition in September. As part of his prize he gave his own cookery demonstrations at Countryside Live. Making great contacts through the competition, Tim was also asked to give demonstrations at The Great Yorkshire Show and at the Yorkshire Day celebrations at Harewood House.

Tim collecting his award

It has been an exciting 12 months, which has also seen Tim land a full-time commis chef job at Rudding Park鈥檚 Clocktower Restaurant.

"I鈥檓 really enjoying it. It鈥檚 hard work, but I knew that before I went in. I鈥檓 learning so much from all the chefs and it keeps me fired up about the food."

Tim is very passionate about his work and would, possibly, like to follow in the steps of one of British chef, Jamie Oliver, "He鈥檚 trying to tackle some serious issues in Britain. I'd like to do something with the talent I鈥檝e got. I think that you can make a positive change, even just with the skill to cook."

"I think I鈥檇 like my own restaurant. I love everything about restaurants. Everything about them fascinates me and gives me that buzz. It would certainly be a really good challenge."