The Vegetarian Society’s cookery school, Cordon Vert, is pleased to announce that the winner of the Chef of the Future 2014 competition is Gavin Kellett, Head Chef at the Manor House, Godalming.
Creative, tasty and exciting
On hearing that he had won the coveted title, Gavin said, “I’m really glad to get the opportunity to showcase my skills and demonstrate how creative, tasty and exciting vegetarian menus can be. I’m also happy that a lot of my ingredients were foraged and very much reflected my own style.”
Cordon Vert’s Principal Tutor Alex Connell said, “Congratulations to Gavin Kellett on winning the title Chef of the Future 2014. Gavin had clearly spent considerable time thinking through his menu. The presentation of the dishes was to the highest standard as was the flavour. Gavin typifies what the competition is all about showing that vegetarian food is delicious, interesting and imaginative.”
2014’s Winning Menu
By Gavin Kellett – Head Chef at the Manor House, Godalming.
- Crispy hearts of palm, shiitake mushroom duxelles, aubergine chutney, pomegranate molasses caviar, broad beans, Brighton blue, red onion and crisp lotus root (pictured above)
- Nettles with asparagus and garlic stinging nettle pasta, white and green asparagus, roasted, wild and confit black garlic, liquid nettle spheres and home grown borage flowers. (pictured below)
- Warm carrot cake, cream cheese sorbet, carrot three ways, raisin pulp, crystallised walnuts and rapeseed oil powder (pictured top)
- The final saw five contestants battle it out to produce a three course vegetarian meal, plated for four people, within three hours.The judging panel consisted of Alex Connell, Cordon Vert Principal Tutor, Damien Davenport owner Bistro 1847, Robert Higginson Chef of Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham and Gary Ashley private chef and past Chef of the Future winner 2012 and 2013.The finalists – menus and comments from judges:Jonathan Tite – Chef at the Showroom, Sheffield
- Wild mushroom consommé.
- Baked fennel, pine nut and Lowna goat’s cheese filo shard, pickled baby fennel, tomato concasse and anise cream.
- Aerated almond chocolate, cherry purée, praline and amaretto Chantilly.
“…a brilliantly presented main course… his sweet was a well masterminded plate,” said Robert.
Olivia West, Oxford – ‘Home Cook’ category entry
- Pad Thai noodle salad with smoked tofu, sweet chilli and coconut peanuts, and pickled ginger.
- Spiced creamy lentil dhal, mushroom rice, lemon saag, and ginger poppadums with a raw salad of onion, cucumber, tomato, carrot and coriander.
- Sticky lemon almond sponge, raspberry and strawberry sorbet, bourbon zabaione, macerated strawberries, and salted almond brittle with fresh and freeze dried raspberries.
“…as an amateur chef she definitely proved her worth… her raspberry sorbet was sublime and made me smile as I tasted it,” said Gary.
Ryan Martin – Sous Chef at Duchally Country Estate, Gleneagles- Risotto of white onion, onion textures and Parmesan-style cheese foam.
- Cannelloni of celeriac, honey roasted beetroot, wild mushrooms, Ayrshire bonnet and garden herbs.
- Sticky toffee apple soufflé, apple purée, salted toffee and almond crumble.
“…the celeriac and beetroot main course was an excellent marriage of flavours. I loved the abstract presentation,” said Gary.
Sam Longthorn – Chef at Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford- Baked aubergine and Five Mile Town goat’s cheese paté, damson and raisin chutney, toasted brioche a ‘tete’.
- Ramiro pepper and Inca tomato ‘chachouka’, baked egg, cauliflower three ways.
- Elderflower and vanilla crème fraîche tart, textures of strawberries.
“…the dessert was fresh and seasonal it had great colours and was a real joy to finish the meal,” said Damien.
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