After an intense competition, judged by a team of leading chefs including Jean-Christophe Novelli, the winner of the Blue Arrow Chef of the Year competition was revealed last night.
The finalists cooking up a storm in the kitchen were: Richard Skinner (Sous Chef at Artizan), Gareth Ruck (Sous Chef at Investec) and Luke Smith (Head Chef at Level 39).They had just two hours to produce four exquisite plates of food whilst guests from the catering and hospitality industry waited expectantly in anticipation.
All the dishes were carefully judged by five of the UK’s most prestigious chefs: renowned celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli; Executive Sous Chef for Harrods, Allister Bishop; Craft and Food Development Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland, David Mulcahy; Director of Food for Gather & Gather, Jim Norris; and Blue Arrow’s very own Resident Chef and Chef Patron at the acclaimed Saffron Group of restaurants, Sudha Saha.
The winner: Richard Skinner from Artizan
After a long deliberation, which lasted over half an hour longer than expected, Richard Skinner from Artizan was crowned the first ever winner of the Blue Arrow Chef of the Year competition. Richard not only won a gourmet break to Italy, but he also now becomes Blue Arrow’s Resident Chef for 2014 taking over the reins from judge Sudha Saha.
The runners up, Gareth Ruck from Investec and Luke Smith from Level 39, were all congratulated by the judges for the extremely high standard of their food.
Charlotte Rush, founder of the Blue Arrow Chef of the Year competition, commented: “We are delighted to have crowned Richard our first ever winner of the Blue Arrow Chef of the Year competition after such a hotly contested battle. The standard was so high tonight that all three of the finalists should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and the positive feedback they have received from our panel of expert judges.
For more information about the Chef of the Year competition click here