Sodexo has revealed the eight successful chefs who will battle it out at the Sodexo Chef of the Year grand finale. This takes place at one of the world’s premier culinary competitions, Salon Culinaire, during The Hospitality Show at NEC Birmingham this coming January (19th-21st).
Grand Final
The grand final of Sodexo Chef of the Year 2015 – sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions, Churchill and Leathams – will be held in the Live Theatre at 14:30-16:00pm on Tuesday 20th January, day two of the show. Huge congratulations goes to finalists: Darren Poulton, Santander, Corporate Services; Tom Beauchamp, South Queensferry, Prestige Scotland; Neil Yule, pharmaceutical client, Corporate Services International Large Accounts; Andy Clarkson, Aliwal Barracks, Defence; Lea Eastman-Thompson, Licenced Victuallers School, Education; Jonathan Preece, Leeds Nuffield, Healthcare; Dennis McCarroll, Almac, Corporate Services Ireland and Danilo Barbagallo, Bateaux London, Prestige.
With a strong emphasis on seasonal, sustainable produce, competitors will have to produce an exciting three-course menu to include a sea bass starter, British or Irish Lamb as a main course and an innovative dessert using Bramley apples.
Expert judges will scrutinise the dishes before announcing the winners, who will take part in a unique study trip also focusing on British artisan producers. This will include a hands on training activity at River Cottage, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s award-winning cookery school.
In preparation for the event, finalists took part in a Sodexo Chef of the Year mentor day, where they could get advice and encouragement from top chefs Russell Bateman – National Chef of the Year 2014 winner – and Alyn Williams – of Alyn Williams of Westbury. Watch the video here.
David Mulcahy, craft and development director at Sodexo, says: “We’re tremendously excited to see these chefs’ hard work and determination culminate in January’s final. Each of these chefs demonstrates the talent and dedication we have in Sodexo and we hope they will pull on their own imagination and flair to plate up three astounding dishes. We wish all finalists the best of luck.”
The Hospitality Show
The Hospitality Show, staged at Birmingham NEC from 19th-21st January, is the place where the industry goes to network and do serious business. Focus areas for 2015 will include hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafés, delis, careers and the cost sector with the show providing a showcase for cutting-edge products and services from food & drink, technology, catering equipment, interiors and tableware.
Visitors can go to www.hospitalityshow.co.uk and register now for a free ticket to the show.
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