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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ryan Thom

Gordon Ramsay praises Callum Deboys for 'doing Scotland proud' in Next Level Chef final

Gordon Ramsay has praised an Ayrshire chef for 'doing Scotland proud' despite not winning his latest cooking show tonight.

Callum Deboys competed in the grand finale of the intense show Next Level Chef.

The kitchen star from Prestwick came agonisingly close to winning a year's worth mentorship and a top cash prize of £100,000.

But he was pipped to the title by impressive social media chef Jade Greenhalgh who was crowned the winner.

Despite missing out, Callum was given more incredible praise from Ramsay.

A former pastry chef at Trump Turnberry, Callum shone in the three course showdown, with his tonka bean tart going down a storm.

Commenting on his final dish, Ramsay said: "This isn't just Next Level, this is front cover," adding, "you've done Scotland proud with that dish."

TV icon Ramsay led a trio of top judges for the final showdown, with Michelin star chef Paul Ainsworth and famous US chef Nyesha Arrington making up the panel.

Up against social media chef Jade and home cook Ronan Lee, Callum crafted three incredible courses in a nail-biting 90 minutes.

Callum and the two other finalists were given the task of cooking three dishes across the three different levels of kitchen, with the starter in the basement, the main in the middle and the dessert in the top state-of-the-art kitchen.

Each contestant was given 90 minutes to complete the three courser with the timer stopping when each course was finished.

Callum opted for Mackerel with sweetcorn fritters for starter and a venison with a hazelnut crust as the main, with both dishes described as being "beautifully cooked."

For the dessert, Callum turned on the style.

Scooping up tonka beans he went for a tonka bean and dark chocolate tart.

But the judges ultimately selected Jade as the winner, with the mum from Lancashire given the life-changing cash and opportunity.

Callum Deboys came close in the final of Next Level Chef (ITV/ Next Level Chef)

The final caps off an emotional journey back into the heat of the kitchen for Callum, after his career as a chef was tragically cut short by a motorcycle crash in which he lost his leg.

At the time Callum was plying his trade at plush Trump Turnberry after previously spending time in a Michelin star kitchen in the Isle of Skye.

His life took a completely different direction as he went on to become a Paralympian for Team GB proudly representing the UK at the Beijing Winter Paralympic games in 2022. as Para Nordic skier.

When Next Level Chef came calling, Callum grasped the opportunity to make a stunning comeback to the kitchen.

Callum rolled back the years, winning the first round with the best dish, cooking a pork chop to perfection, earning him the nickname 'Mr Pork Chop'.

And Mr Pork Chop was at it again as another perfectly seared chunk of pork that saw him sail through to the final.

After announcing the winner chef Ramsay paid tribute to his fellow Scot.

Chef Ramsay said: "Callum, oh man, if this competition has done one thing, it's reignited your passion with food, but its confirmed as a super Paralympian you were also born to cook."

A tearful Callum congratulated his rival Jade, he said: "Jade totally deserves it, that woman has an amazing story and she's going to do something incredible."

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