Entries open for National Chef of the Year 2015
The competition is open to chefs from all sectors of the industry, who will be tasked with creating an innovative menu for four people.
Entrants have until 10 April to submit their menu for paper judging, with 40 selected to go through to the semi-final heats at Sheffield College on 11 June and Le Cordon Bleu on 24 June.
Eight chefs will be chosen to go through to the National Chef of the Year final at The Restaurant Show on 6 October 2015, with the winner crowned National Chef of the Year 2016.
This year’s judging panel will be chaired by Clare Smyth, chef patron at the three Michelin starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Entrants will be marked on technical skills as well as the seasonality and sustainability of their menus.
David Mulcahy, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “The National Chef of the Year is a benchmark for chef talent in the UK today and a career-enhancing challenge for anyone who takes part. Not only is the award highly respected but the competition process itself provides an unrivalled platform for testing your culinary skills to the max.”
National Chef of the Year
The National Chef of the Year competition was established in 1972 and past winners include Gordon Ramsay, David Everitt-Matthias, Mark Sargeant, Steve Love, Simon Hulstone and Hrishikesh Desai.
National Chef of the Year 2015, Russell Bateman, said it was a ‘huge honour’ to claim the culinary title.
“It’s amazing to think my name has been added to that list of wonderful past winners,” he said. “To be recognised by the fantastic line up of judges was a massive boost for me personally. I look forward to seeing the competition go from strength to strength.”
Bateman’s prizes for winning the final last October included a study trip to Dubai and a study trip to France with dinner at a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as vouchers, product and equipment from the competitions sponsors.
Sponsors for this year’s competition include KNORR, Lockhart Catering Equipment, RARE, Nespresso, Continental Chef Supplies and Churchill China.
To enter the National Chef of the Year 2016, visit The Restaurant Show website and fill out an entry form by April 10
