Wellington native Lyn Wells is putting Carbon County on the map with her win of the national title, Best Young Chef which she earned at the national competition held in June in Sarasota, Florida. Wells competed against nine other contestants from all over the United States during the four-day competition.
What does Wells think of the distinguished title of Best Young Chef? “I’m probably sure there is a lot better people out there than me, I was just the one that stuck my neck out to do the competition. So basically it’s four hours, they hand you your mystery basket, you have a half-hour to write your menu, three hours to cook and half-hour to plate,” stated Wells. Contestants were judged on kitchen techniques, product use, sanitation, timing organizational skills, food presentation and taste.
Wells gives a lot of credit to her family and upbringing, “Just growing up in it, I mean, I grew up at the Cowboy Club and then my brother came to school here at UVU and I kind of followed in his footsteps.” There is a bit of friendly banter between the siblings when they are both in the kitchen but it’s all in fun and they help each other to want to be better in their said careers.
The national title of Best Young Chef didn’t just bring Wells prizes and a gold medal but also an opportunity to represent the United States in Chaîne des Rôtisseurs International Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition to be held in Manchester, England on September 27 through October 1, 2016. “For this competition, unfortunately, I don’t know what I’m doing, it’s a mystery box. I have my mentor put together a mystery box for me and then we just practice and then I can bring in bowls and knifes and that’s it,” said Wells. Each competitor at the competition will receive an identical black box, permitting them to compose a menu of their choice to be prepared for four people, it must consist of an appetizer, main course and dessert.
Her previous competition that she won in Beverly Hills allowed her to intern at Thomas Keller’s famed restaurant, The French Laundry; which has been in service for over 20 years. Chef Keller himself is the only American born chef to hold 2 – 3 Michelin Star restaurants at the same time. Wells stated that this was a dream come true, so when she was asked if given a chance to cook anywhere and/or for any one she said, “I definitely pick either New York and do another Thomas Keller Restaurant or there’s a bunch of other places up there like Eleven Madison Park that Daniel Humm runs, so there is quite a few places.”
For now, the Best Young Chef will enjoy preparing for her upcoming international competition and spending weekends cooking where her story first began, The Cowboy Club in Wellington. When you stop by for a delicious home cooked meal be sure to congratulate her on her Best Young Chef title and wish her the best of luck.