Elinor takes top prize with your help

A former Welshpool High School pupil has won a festive cooking competition that urges families to swap their traditional turkey dinner for Welsh Beef this Christmas.

Earlier this week we urged our readers to vote for Elinor Bright’s dish, and you responded in your droves to ensure she cooked up the Welsh title.

Organised by Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) as part of their campaign to encourage people to switch to local beef, Elinor saw off hundreds of applications to win the challenge with her roast sirloin of Welsh Beef with a Perlas cheese, sundried tomato and pine nut stuffing.

The 23-year-old was chosen as one of four finalists to compete in a cook-off at Llanerch Vineyard in Cardiff on December 5, where she wowed a panel of judges before winning the week-long public vote.

“I am delighted to win this competition and am really grateful to everyone who voted for me,” explained Elinor, who now lives in Llanidloes and works as an Environmental Health Officer at Ceredigion County Council.

“I received some fantastic comments from the three judges who tasted my dish and now look forward to the recipe appearing on the HCC website.

“Beef is a fantastic alternative to turkey at Christmas, especially when served with some of the finest ingredients Wales has to offer.”

Food blogger Matt Appleby described Elinor's dish as “tasting as good as it looked”, while award-winning food writer Nicki Tudor said: “Rare-roast Welsh Beef sirloin with a rich, cheesy stuffing. The stuffing is a balance of sweet tomatoes, crunchy pine nuts and salty cheese. Great for a Christmas dinner with a twist.”

Elinor's recipe will appear on www.eatwelshbeef.co.uk as well as Facebook and Twitter to inspire others in their festive cooking. She will also be treated to a VIP London food trip including dinner at a top London restaurant.

PICTURE: What a dish! Elinor with her winning recipe