Ulverston brothers go head-to-head in competition

READ MORE:   Ben's favourite dish to cook

READ MORE: Tim's favourite dish to cook

Three cafes have been listed in the final of the Cumbria Life Food Awards for Cafe of the Year. 

The Coach House Cafe at Ford Park, Ulverston, Homeground in Bowness and Abbey Coffee Shop in Shap will be battling it out on March 3. 

The head chef at The Coach House, Ben Queen-Fryer is brother with the second chef at Homeground, Tim. 

Ben, 26, who has been at The Coach House for 18 months, has been interested in cooking since he was 15. 

While working at the Drunken Duck in Ambleside a few years ago, Tim's talent was spotted and he too was asked to chef alongside his brother. 

Ben said: "I didn't think that we would get this many nominations and I was really surprised to find out that I was up against my brother." 

The former Ulverston Victoria High School pupil is inspired by the cooking of American chef, Thomas Keller. 

He said: "When you go through his recipe books, which are nearly 20 years old, they don't look dated. 

"I have tried a few of his recipes and I've never been disappointed." 

Tim, 20, has been working at Homeground for five months. 

He said: "I'm really pleased that we've got to this point in the competition. I enjoy cooking and I have found that you can do a lot with very simple recipes. 

"I've always looked up to Ben and working together in the past has just made our relationship stronger." 

The manager at Ford Park, Alison Alger, said: "This is an incredible achievement for Ford Park and real recognition for the hard-working team which includes our wonderful volunteers who work alongside our gardener, Sarah McCormack, to grow as much of our own produce as possible in the kitchen garden. 

"We have some amazing supportive and friendly customers who, along with our staff, help to create such a positive welcoming place to be." 

The winner will be announced at the awards evening at Kendal College on Thursday March 3.