Belfast Chef Stephen Taylor-Winter Makes The Finals of M&S UK Wide Burger Competition

Belfast-based chef, Stephen Taylor-Winter, and Chef in Residence for Gaggenau Ireland, has been selected by M&S as one of eight finalists in a UK wide burger competition.

This summer the retailer has launched its ‘Best Ever Burger’ and, to put it to the test, challenged top chefs across the country to create the ultimate burger topping recipe for their hometown, showcasing the very best regional flavours and produce.

M&S’s Best Ever Burger features a mouth-watering combination of short rib, chuck steak and bone marrow for ultimate succulence, providing the base for Stephen’s creation. Taking inspiration from Belfast, Stephen’s recipe includes Young Buck Blue Cheese, which is the first raw milk cheese to be produced in the region, celeriac watercress and Northern Ireland’s infamous Hannan Guanciale, all topped with a punchy dressing of Dijon mustard, Horseradish sauce and Lakeshore Wholegrain mustard.

Stephen said: “Northern Ireland has amazing local produce and it’s been brilliant to put an Irish spin on M&S’s Best EverBurger. From Hannan’s Guanciale made in Ulster, to Young Buck Blue Cheese, I wanted this recipe to celebrate the breadth of produce in Northern Ireland, bringing together flavours for a knockout burger dish. I’m proud of our culinary heritage in the region and it’s been great to take part in a national challenge which has given this a fun and seasonal platform.”

Stephen was classically trained in France at Le Cordon Bleu and has worked in prestigious restaurants around the world. He has worked for all three Michelin star restaurants in Northern Ireland and has cooked for senior members of the Royal family. I wonder if the Queen enjoys a burger on the BBQ?