BaxterStorey has announced the winners of its third annual Heritage Chef of the Year Awards with winners from across the UK and Ireland celebrated.
Launched in 2015, the competition showcases the organisation’s passion for fresh, seasonal and locally sourced produce. This year’s final held at Electrolux, Luton, saw 13 talented chefs compete across four categories; Chef of the Year, Chef Manager of the Year, Young Chef of the Year, and Pastry Chef of the Year.
Following a series of demanding regional heats, the finalists were challenged to create two dishes within just 90 minutes. Expert judges awarded top marks to those showcasing the best of locally sourced produce, skill, innovation and presentation.
Irish-based Claire Rodden was awarded Chef of the Year in an incredibly tight category. Her dessert of baked yoghurt, AIB honey, elderflower, pickled apple and honeycomb was inspired by one of Ireland’s best products – dairy. The honey in the dish originated from the building in which she works, from one of seven hives, housing around 60,000 bees.
Oxford-based Sean Campbell (pictured centre with Darren Lockley, Head of Region UK and Ireland for Electrolux, left, and John Bennett, Co-Chief Executive of BaxterStorey, right) took the title of Chef Manager of the Year with a local lamb dish, complimented perfectly with heritage pumpkin and pickled golden beets.
Stephen Selwood, based in the South East, took the title of Young Chef of the Year. His dish of Newlyn’s Farm grilled pork chuck steak, sourced just 25 miles from his location in Reading, wowed the judges.
Pastry Chef of the Year was won by Sam Parsons, based in the South West. His beautifully simple dish of spiced plum and yoghurt ice cream showcased the very best of fresh, seasonal produce from his region.
Matt Hay, BaxterStorey Chef Director and judge, said, “This competition is about great chefs showcasing their skills and techniques to make exceptional dishes, using all locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. It is something engrained in every chef at BaxterStorey and the standard this year was particularly high.
'We are proud to have such talented and passionate people in our business, and Heritage Chef is a great opportunity for us to recognise them, as shown by this year’s very deserving winners.”
