Cirencester Park Polo Brasserie chef crowned Yorkshire pudding King

Four local chefs - TJ Case of Téatro, Danny Field of Waters Edge wedding venue in Ewen, Ethan Rodgers of Cirencester Park Polo Brasserie and Neil Johnson of Cheeky Swine Smokehouse & Grill - each put their own unique twist on the popular dish on National Yorkshire Pudding Day.

The battle of the batter was held at Téatro restaurant - which is situated in Beeches Road, Cirencester - on Sunday, February 4.

The chefs - TJ Case, Danny Field, Ethan Rodgers - and the judges - Candia McKormack, Dawn Harper and Camilla Foster. (Image: Straight PR)
Neil was unable to attend the event in person due to illness but Jonathon Rooke was on hand to collect his entry.

Cotswold Life editor Candia McKormack, doctor and media personality Dawn Harper and Standard reporter Camilla Foster were invited to the restaurant to judge the competition. 

Candia McKormack, Dawn Harper and Camilla Foster during the blind taste test (Image: Straight PR)
During the blind taste test the judges examined the puddings texture, taste, colour and shape.

After much deliberation, Ethan Rodgers - who is also the executive chef for Pettifers Hotel in Crudwell - was declared the winner.

Candia commented on how the polo chef's puddings were bursting with flavour and encompassed a delicious contrast of fluffy and crispy textures. 

The winning Yorkshire pudding was spray-painted gold to mark the occasion.

Commenting on his win, Ethan said: "Mark Bremner and I worked on this recipe together and discussed ideas of how to make our Yorkshire puddings unique.

"The key to achieving the flavour was marinating the milk.

"The milk for the batter was infused with rosemary, garlic, thyme and a bay leaf for 24 hours before cooking.

"Clarified chicken fat was used to cook the Yorkie and in the mix was powdered chicken skin and lemon thyme.

"A big thanks to all the other chefs, it was a pleasure to spend some time with them."