Local Camberley Head Chef Adam Lestrelle Is In Search o
The search to discover who will be crowned this year’s National Chef of the Year is underway as the Craft Guild of Chefs has opened the entries for this year’s competition.
Over the last 44 years, the UK’s most prestigious and respected culinary competition has shone a spotlight on the fresh talent coming out of kitchens. Previous winners such as Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams and Mark Sargeant have demonstrated how it helps fast-track careers and put winners firmly on the map, and on the path to Michelin stars.
The competition is open to chefs who are 24 years or older as of April 1st 2016. Competitors may come from all areas of the hospitality business including hotels, restaurants, pubs, contract catering, fine dining, private and public sectors and may be working in the UK or overseas. This competition is not based on a chef’s personality or past triumphs but simply on culinary skills, interpretation of the ingredients and what chefs can create when the heat is really on.
For the first stage of the contest, competitors are required to produce a creative lunch menu for two guests that could be cooked-up within two hours. The menu must consist of a risotto starter of the competitor’s choice; a main course using a whole chicken, with appropriate accompaniments and a choux pastry dessert of choice.
Chefs have until Friday, 8th April, to submit their entry for paper judging. A shortlist of 40 chefs for the semi-finals will be revealed on 24th May following the paper judging on the 20th. This year’s heats will take place at Sheffield College on Tuesday, 14th June, and at Le Cordon Bleu in London on Wednesday, 22nd June. Only ten chefs will go through to the National Chef of the Year final, which takes place at the Restaurant Show on Tuesday, 4th October.
The winning chef will receive a wide range of prizes including a culinary trip to one of the world’s top restaurants, stagiaire opportunities, equipment from sponsors and chocolate workshops. Best of all is the wealth of opportunities that earning this prestigious accolade can bring. The winner will go on to be part of the National Chef of the Year 'Hall of Fame', which really sets them apart from their peers and offers the chance to meet and work with their culinary heroes.
Good Luck Adam