Clare Smyth vows to get Team UK onto the podium as she takes on Bocuse d’Or UK presidency
The move is part of Bocuse d’Or UK’s ambition to ‘inspire young British chefs and to give Team UK the best chance of winning in the world’s most prestigious cooking contest’.
Rogan has held the Presidency since taking over from Brian Turner in 2018 and will remain a key member of the Bocuse d’Or UK Academy.
As the first and only UK-based female chef to have been awarded three Michelin stars, Smyth is among the country’s most high profile chefs.
She currently operates Core by Clare Smyth in London and Oncore by Clare Smyth in Sydney.
“After witnessing the UK team’s ambition and skill at this year’s Bocuse d’Or World Final, earning them 7th place amongst the world’s best chefs, I am honoured to accept the prestigious role of team president,” says Smyth, who became global ambassador for Bocuse d’Or Team UK in 2021.
“The opportunity is there for Britain to be regarded as one of the best in global gastronomy. Receiving such recognition not only reinforces our influence in the international culinary world, but can also have a huge impact on our hospitality industry by encouraging growth and inspiring the next generation of chefs."
Smyth says that Team UK ‘undoubtedly has the ability to reach the top’ but that it will need more investment to do it.
“Similar to Olympic athletes, this would allow the chefs to dedicate more of their time to train and to practise for the Bocuse d’Or, which we know is a key contributor to the success of the winning teams.”
Further team changes will also see The Ritz London’s John Williams stepping down and the UK’s most successful candidate to date, Adam Bennett from The Cross at Kenilworth, taking over as technical director.
Simon Rogan adds: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to lead the UK Team as President and I’m proud of what the team has achieved. It’s been a rewarding four years and I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement albeit in a different capacity.”
The next challenge for the Bocuse d’Or UK will be to recruit and train the next candidate and commis chef from a National Selection in June this year. The new team will need then to put in a strong performance at the Bocuse d’Or European selection which takes place in Trondhem Norway from March 19-20, 2024.
“As with any successful team we are always looking at ways to expand and bring in new skills and experience. Simon has been an asset to the team during what turned out to be an eventful few years,” says Team UK chair Andreas Antona.
“He has always been generous with his time despite his Michelin success, pandemic challenges and business growth. Having two of the UK’s three Michelin starred chefs on the team demonstrates that we are a serious contender and with Clare’s ambition and experience we are looking at a new era in Bocuse d’Or UK and aiming to achieve that elusive placing on the podium.”
