The UK Bocuse d’Or Team has announced the candidate and commis who will compete in the Bocuse d’Or Europe in Budapest on 11-12 May, 2016.
The candidate will be Anthony Wright, a senior chef lecturer running the Atrium restaurant at University College Birmingham.
Anthony, a classically trained chef, has extensive and varied experience working in some of the UK’s top kitchens, including working for Pierre Koffmann at La Tante Claire. He cites the greatest influence of his career to date as Nico Ladenis, who he worked alongside for many years including at Chez Nico Battersea and Reading, Chez Nico at Great Portland Street and Nico at 90.
For his preparation for the Bocuse d’Or, he will be working closely with the extended Bocuse d’Or team which includes Team UK President Brian Turner CBE, President of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Dr Andreas Antona former chef and restaurateur and chair of the Bocuse d’Or UK Academy, John Williams MBE Executive Chef of The Ritz London, Nick Vadis, Culinary Director Compass Group and Idris Caldora, Executive Chef of Chefs Adopt a School.
Anthony will be supported by commis chef, Jack Gameson, also from University College Birmingham. Jack recently secured third place in the British Culinary Federation Young Chef of the Year final.
This year’s brief is to prepare a fish plate using sterlet Acipenser Rutheus with its caviar and a meat platter of young red Hungarian deer.
Brian Turner CBE says, “Anthony is a very talented chef and it’s great to have someone with so much experience and passion for cooking representing the UK. Being based in Birmingham means that he will have plenty of access to the replica Bocuse d’Or kitchen at UCB which was a key component of Adam Bennett’s success in 2013. He will also be given time away from his day job to prepare which we now know is essential to success.”
Bringing Bocuse d’Or Europe to the UK
The announcement comes as Team UK confirms that it is re-positioning its bid to host the Bocuse d’Or Europe in London 2018 and will instead bid to host the competition in 2020.
The decision follows months of preparation and liaison with key public and private organisations – time which will be invested into ensuring a winning bid and the level of support required for hosting a successful continental qualifier in 2020.
Brian Turner CBE, President of the UK Team says, “Hosting the Bocuse d’Or Europe requires a significant amount of financial commitment from public bodies. We had to be realistic about what was achievable within the timeframe, particularly given the current economic restraints.
“Having met with key decision makers and generated strong interest in the competition from both public and private sector organisations, we are in the strongest position yet to be bringing the Bocuse d’Or to London. We have a fantastic food scene here so we know that we could put on a fantastic and memorable contest. We’d love to hear from anyone in the industry who wants to be involved.”
The bid for 2020 will need to be submitted in December 2017: to confirm your interest please email: team@bocusedoruk.co.uk