Rajkumar Holuss, 1st Sous Chef at The Waterside Inn, Bray, was announced as the winner of the UK final of the 49th Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire International competition last weekend. Following a closely fought final of the competition at Roux at Parliament Square, UK Presidential Judge, Michel Roux Jr, and Champagne Taittinger’s Marketing Director, Vitalie Taittinger, revealed Rajkumar as the winner at the evening celebration (pictured above).
The new vintage Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 2006
Guests were not only privileged to meet the winner of the Prix Culinaire, but also to celebrate the achievements of the three finalists with the unveiling of the new vintage Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 2006. Unsurprisingly, this met with universal approval and proved an ideal choice for the occasion.
The challenge
Rajkumar was joined in the final by James Sleep, Junior Sous Chef at White’s Club, London and Adam Thomason, Head Chef, Restaurant Associates at Deloitte. The three finalists each had to prepare their classic dish on a theme chosen by the organising committee, which this year was poularde (large chicken). They were also tasked with preparing their interpretation of a Bakewell tart, a theme provided by Michel Roux Jr a week before the final.
All three UK finalists received a Jeroboam of Champagne Taittinger and Rajkumar received €2,400 and a trophy. He will now go forward to compete in the international final in Paris on 23rd November, where he will be joined by the winners from France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Japan.
Exceptional competition
Comments Vitalie Taittinger:
“Congratulations to Rajkumar on winning this national final. The standard of all the entries in the UK final was incredibly high. He fought off some exceptional competition to take the title and this will hopefully stand him in good stead as he goes forward to represent the UK in the international final in November.”
The ‘Everest of Gastronomy’
The competition, which was set up 49 years ago, is open to chefs between the ages of 24 and 39, with over five years’ experience. Often referred to as the ‘Everest of Gastronomy’, it demonstrates Champagne Taittinger’s commitment to the promotion of young, upcoming chefs.
This year’s UK judging panel was made up of Simon Hulstone from The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay; John Williams from The Ritz London; Roux at Parliament Square’s Steve Groves; Rachel Humphrey from Le Gavroche; Romuald Feger from The Connaught; Andre Garrett from Cliveden; The Royal Chef Mark Flannagan; Emily Roux; Arnaud Bignon from The Greenhouse and The Rosewood’s Amandine Chaignot. UK Presidential Judge, Michel Roux Jr, will join the International Judging panel in Paris where the International winner will be revealed on 23rd November.
Champagne Taittinger is available through sole UK agent Hatch Mansfield, tel. 01344 871 800.
For more information about Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire click here
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Marcus Wareing, Mark Poynton and Angela Hartnet