Brewery restaurant employs Masterchef finalist

Masterchef finalist Jonny Stevenson has landed a job with Northern Ireland`s Hilden Brewery working in the kitchen at its Tap Room Restaurant.

Stevenson, who was one of just three finalists in the televised competition, is working under the tutelage of the Tap Room`s French Head Chef Vincent Granier to develop the skills he learnt on the show.

The chef, who told viewers of the BBC2 series his ambition is to open up a bistro-brasserie in Northern Ireland, will spend the next few weeks honing his grilling skills to be able to cook a barbeque for the Hilden Beer & Music Festival. The event will take place over the August Bank Holiday at the brewery situated between Belfast and Lisburn.

Money raised over the weekend will go to Disability Action, the charity that has helped advise Hilden about changes it has made to the restaurant to improve disabled access.

Restaurant Manager Frances Maguire commented: “We are making lots of improvements to the Tap Room restaurant and have recently fitted a brand new kitchen. We had made some provision for access in the past but felt that we could improve on this. By working in consultation with local charity Disability Action we have been able to implement some changes, with very little disruption to the restaurant and Brewery, and make our services more accessible to people with disabilities."

Stevenson and Emily Ludolf were beaten to the Masterchef 2008 title by James Nathan in the final in February.