Young Melksham chef releases debut cookbook

A young chef from Melksham has released his debut cookbook, which will raise money for children living with heart conditions. 

Fifteen-year-old William Watter’s book, Will’s Whizzy Recipes, features a mix of dishes designed to inspire people to cook outside their comfort zones and try new foods, alongside comfort food favourites such as Yorkshire puddings and a homemade pork, apple and leek burger.

For every copy sold, William is donating £1 to Gloucester-based charity Heart Heroes, which provides subsidised social events for children and families living with a heart condition.

The cause is especially personal to William. He said, “I am proud to have published this cookbook and be raising funds for Heart Heroes. They are a small, fairly local charity which I want to support because I have a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot and will soon need a pulmonary valve replaced.”

William showcased his cooking talent at this year’s Bath Foodies Festival, where he made his pork, apple and leek burger live in front of more than 100 people in the packed Chef’s Theatre. “It was a great experience cooking in the chef’s theatre; it was great to have so many people watching and buying my book,” he said.

Last year he created a waffle apple pie at the same festival and also appeared at this year’s Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival.

Working hard to make his dreams of becoming a full-time professional chef a reality, William has met top chefs including James Martin, John Torode, Rosemary Shrager, Dhruv Baker, Matt Pritchard and Gino D’Acampo, and has also worked alongside chef James Harris.

“I like cooking because I love making something that you can eat at the end and I really like making food for my family and friends,” said William, who has been offered an apprenticeship at Bath’s Beckford Bottle Shop starting next year.

Will’s Whizzy Recipes is available to order online or by messaging William directly through his Instagram page, @williamtheminichef.