The winner of the Vegan Day Catering Challenge has been officially announced as Paul Russell (pictured right), Hospitality and Culinary Arts Management Lecturer at University College Birmingham, after beating off competition from five other contestants in a live cook-off this week.
At the event organised by the Vegan Society and held at Tante Marie Cookery School, Russell put together a creative and entirely vegan menu of Soupe au Pistou with a Potato Ravioli; Crisp Fried Baby Artichokes in a Poppy Seed Coating, Served on a Pea and Roasted Red Pepper Risotto, with a Cashew Aioli; and Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake with Cherries.
Judges Chad Sarno of Saf, Christine Tilbury of the Cordon Vert Cookery School, and Andrew Maxwell of Tante Marie awarded Russell with a cheque for £500 for proving that vegan food can still lead to a gourmet experience.
"I am delighted to be able to showcase this fascinating cuisine,” said Russell. “Designing a vegan menu really highlights the creativity of the chef and requires considerable planning in terms of flavours, textures and nutritional value. The competition is also a great opportunity to prove to the industry that vegan food can be just as exciting and diverse as any other cuisine."
Second place was awarded to Peter Walters, Executive Chef of Keele University, and third to Richard Craig, the Competing Chef at the University of Glasgow Hospitality Services, who won £200 and £100 respectively.
The other finalists included John Bayley, owner of Cashew - Creative Vegetarian and Vegan Catering, in Lewes, East Sussex; Wayne Shooter, Chef at HMP Whatton near Nottingham; and Terry Woolcock, Executive Chef at Hatherley Manor Hotel.
The winners were announced today, World Vegan Day, at the West Midlands Vegan Festival in Wolverhampton, where the winners of the Vegan Society Awards were also revealed.
Image courtesy of flavourphotos.com, supplied through The Vegan Society