Jean-Christophe Novelli demonstrates cheese versatility

Chefs in education, health and workplace catering as well as restaurants, hotels and pubs across the UK, were offered the exclusive chance to spend a day with multi-Michelin starred French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli at the Bel Cheese Academy. To win this prize, chefs had to create and submit their own recipe using a product from the Bel Foodservice range, which could be prepared in 20 minutes or less. Winners, Garry McMeckan, an agency chef and personal chef Charlotte Leventis, were chosen based on the creativity of their recipe and the combination of ingredients used. Jean-Christophe said: "Cheese is so incredibly diverse and this really comes across in the variety of ways the winners have incorporated Bel cheeses into their recipes. I never tire of finding new ways to include cheese in my cooking and the winners recipes have provided me with lots more inspiration. "I love Garry's Butternut Squash Prawn and Chorizo Risotto recipe, his idea of stirring Boursin through the dish just before serving works really well. It gives a subtle flavour and adds to the creamy texture of the dish. "Charlotte's recipe for Deep Fried Port Salut and Mango makes an attractive starter – it looks delicious when you cut into the parcels and see glossy melted cheese and a flash of colour from the mango chutney." Recipes will be available in our recipe bank.