London’s Broadgate branch of Spanish restaurant chain La Tasca was celebrating this week after its head chef was crowned the winner of the first ever national Tapa Chef of the Year Award 2008.
Miguel Castano (pictured, right) joined chefs from La Tasca outlets across the country to do battle at the national final in Birmingham. The competition was open to all chefs from the restaurant chain’s 87 outlets, but only nine regional finalists made it to the grand final to take part in a live cook-off in front of the five judges; La Tasca MD Peter Murdoch, Bay Restaurant Group’s Developmental Chef Simon Blunt, Food Operations Frances Sanchez and Matthew Clark Wines representatives Andy Barker and Simon Jerrome.
Castano’s winning dish Ensalada de Rape Gaudi, consisted of pan fried monkfish on a warm aubergine, tomato red pepper and rocket salad, and will join La Tasca’s winter menu commencing this November.
Peter Murdoch said: “There were some truly innovative dishes created for the competition which also demonstrated what a breadth of talented chefs there are within the group. Miguel’s monkfish salad is simple yet delicious and is perfect for our menu. I’m sure our customers will enjoy trying it out.”
Second and third place went to Andrew Krajewsji of Victoria, London, and Roberto Diaz of Liverpool, for their dishes of Pulpito rellenos con paella y chorizo (fried baby squid tubes stuffed with paella and chorizo with garlic mayonnaise and lambs lettuce) and Montado de Gambas (toasted breas topped with prawns and serano ham in a creamy wine and garlic sauce), respectively.
Jubilant winner Castano, said: “It’s a honour to receive the award. I’m passionate about creating and cooking great food so it’ll be fantastic to see my own dish on the menu across all of our restaurants.”