The British Beer and Pub Association and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group are today announcing the eight chefs selected as finalists in the Parliamentary Pub Chef and Young Pub Chef of the Year award.
The new award sought nominations from MPs and resulted in a response of over 120 entries, each recognising a pub chef or chefs in their constituency who provide an excellent food offering. The chefs were assessed by a panel of six expert judges. The entries were sorted into two age groups – with those under 30 being considered for the Parliamentary Young Pub Chef of the Year – and eight lucky finalists have now been named.
Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year Finalists
Michele Cremona (The Candlemaker, Battersea). Nominated by Jane Ellison MP.
Milan Hukal (Dog Inn, Grundisburgh). Nominated by Daniel Poulter MP.
John Calton (Staith House, North Shields). Nominated by Alan Campbell MP.
Gordon Jones (The Brit Pub, Port Talbot). Nominated by Stephen Kinnock MP.
Parliamentary Young Pub Chef of the Year
Gordon Stott (The Sun Inn, Dummer). Nominated by Kit Malthouse MP.
Robert Yuill (D’Arcy Thompson, Dundee). Nominated by Chris Law MP.
Edward Hackland (The Waggon, Halam). Nominated by Mark Spencer MP.
Matt Long (The Raglan Arms , Llandenny). Nominated by David Davies MP.
The eight finalists will now proceed to a cook-off event at The Vintry pub in London in January, where they will cook for a panel of judges including experienced and Michelin-starred chefs.
Pubs serve almost a billion meals a year, with more and more recognising that great food will attract more customers. Pubs are also vital to the local economy in every part of the country, offering valuable and flexible employment.
Andrew Griffiths, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group said:
“This is the first time that the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group has asked MPs to take part in this competition, and the response has been outstanding. I hope this will turn out to be an annual event, and can only help to raise the profile of the pub industry and build a relationship and an understanding between MPs and pub operators.”