Louisa May Matthews saw off fierce competition from nine other regional finalists to scoop the top prize after a 90-minute live cook off held at Hotelympia, the UK’s largest exhibition for the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Cyrus Todiwala OBE was among the panel of top chefs who judged the finalists’ three-course meals, choosing Louisa’s as the standout winning entry. Louisa’s winning menu was a starter of hake, lobster claw, parsley and bisque cream reduction; a main course of buttermilk poached loin of pork puffed skin, press potato, green vegetables with Knorr herb butter and beef stock reduction; and a dessert of chocolate tart with raspberry, honeycomb, orange syrup and orange ripple ice cream.
Louisa started working for Sodexo three years ago, and her commitment to delivering high standards every day has seen her promoted three times in as many years. Last year Louisa’s talent saw her both represent the UK at WorldSkills in Leipzig and take the Rising Star Craft prize in Sodexo UK and Ireland’s annual Star Awards.
Louisa wins a fantastic prize of work experience with Alyn Williams at Michelin star restaurant The Westbury and a study trip to France.
Runner up Tom Beauchamp from Sodexo Prestige in Scotland and third placed Lloyd Walker from Sodexo Corporate Services will also go on the France trip, which will include visits to the champagne vineyards, Paris markets, dinner at some of the French capital’s top restaurants and a visit to Le Nôtre cookery school.
Also at Hotelympia, the Sodexo culinary team collected a silver medal in La Parade des Chefs, the working restaurant competition. Working in glass-enclosed kitchens each day, two teams battle it out on each day, preparing and cooking lunch for 100 paid-for covers.
The 10 Sodexo Chef of the Year finalists
- Louisa May Matthews, Sodexo Education – first place with gold medal
- Tom Beauchamp, Sodexo Prestige (Scotland) – second place with silver medal
- Lloyd Walker, Sodexo Corporate Services – third place with bronze medal
- Danillo Barbagallo, Bateaux London, Sodexo Prestige – bronze medal
- Adam Collison, Sodexo Corporate Services – bronze medal
- Kirsty Crerar, Sodexo Healthcare – bronze medal
- David Hussey, Sodexo Education – bronze medal
- Dennis McCarroll, Sodexo Corporate Services (Ireland) – bronze medal
- Stuart Burt, Sodexo Corporate Services – certificate of merit
- Andy Clarkson, Sodexo Defence – certificate of merit