Grampian Chef of the Year 2006 Announced

Winners

GRAMPIAN’S top chef of the year was named on Monday 15th May as Addy Daggert of the Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside.

Around 200 guests gathered at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa for the annual event to see Addy scoop the top accolade, for the second time, in the Grampian Chef of the Year Awards after beating tough competition in cook-offs.

The winner of the Grampian Young Chef of the Year category was Adam Stewart of The Albyn Restaurant in Aberdeen, with Yoram Ordentz of Universal Sodexho named Grampian Contract Chef of the Year and Reuben Gould of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa was awarded Grampian Seafood Chef of the Year.

Addy’s winning menu consisted crispy east-coast langoustine and seared scallop with green pea agnolotti and shellfish froth. Followed by baked Lossie pork loin with black pudding and belly bacon confit served with a terrine of potato, cauliflower and mature cheddar with caramelised garlic jus. For dessert, Addy prepared white chocolate and malt whisky tart with a mango and passion fruit sorbet.

In addition to receiving this major accolade, Addy also receives a trophy, £300 prize money and an over night stay and dinner for 2 at The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.

Elizabeth Mathie, co-ordinator of the Grampian Food Forum, said: “Grampian is blessed with an array of high quality produce and extremely talented chefs. This year’s entries were no exception. The competition was eagerly fought and very hard to judge as each chef produced dishes of an outstanding quality using the very best local ingredients.”

The 32 finalists faced the challenge of using local produce to create exciting and innovative dishes. At the final held at Aberdeen College yesterday, they were judged on many factors including methodology, economy of ingredients, presentation, hygiene and quality and flavour of dishes.

The highly experience and well respected panel of judges included: Joe Queen, operations director at Monument Leisure; George McIvor, Chairman of Masterchefs of Great Britain; Kevin MacGillivray, head chef from Ballathie House Hotel in Perth; and Ian MacDonald, head chef, Balbirnie House Hotel.

The guest speaker at the dinner was Colin Bussey, Executive Chef at Gleneagles Hotel.

He told the winners and guests that standards were improving within the industry, with more discerning clientele demanding greater quality.

He said training was high on the agenda across the board and praised master chefs who promoted the industry. He added that sourcing quality, local and seasonal produce was paramount and urged all chefs to conduct research and develop their knowledge.

“Scotland has and will always deliver a premier quality product that is a cut above the rest.’’

“This is mirrored through all of our food sections, meat, fish, baker, fruit and vegetables from the small to multinational companies.’’

Karen Black, general manager at Hospitality Training, said: “We have once again seen a very high standard from competitors this year, which can only be good news for the industry, the local people and visitors to this area.’’

The competition is organised by the Grampian Food Forum in conjunction with Hospitality Training and the Federation of Chefs Scotland to promote the wealth of culinary talent in Grampian. The finalists were set the challenge of using local produce to create an exciting and innovative three course meal.

Grampian Chef of the Year is also sponsored by Aberdeen College, Craig Group Catering Services, ESS, Ken Watmough Fishmonger, Knowles Food Services, Mackie’s of Scotland Ltd, Macphie of Glenbervie Ltd, Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Press & Journal and Walkers Shortbread Ltd.

List of Winners:

Grampian Chef of the Year
1st place – Addy Daggert – Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie
2nd place – Colin Rennie – The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen
3rd place – Kevin Hay – Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen

Grampian Contract Chef of the Year
1st place - Yoram Odentz, Universal Sodexho
2nd place – Mark Bannerman, ESS
3rd place - Matt Ash - ESS

Grampian Young Chef of the Year
1st place – Adam Stewart – The Albyn Restaurant, Aberdeen
2nd place – Jennifer Hemsley – Swallow Waterside Inn, Peterhead
3rd place – Douglas Shewan – Matchams, Aberdeen

Grampian Seafood Chef of the Year – sponsored by Ken Watmough Fishmonger
1st place – Reuben Gould – Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
2nd place – Andrew Wylie – Albert Hotel, Peterhead
3rd place – Lee Bell, Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen