Competition Serves up a Winner
Chefs from across the region converged at Aberdeen College on Monday the 26th of May to slice, dice and sauté their way through a grueling 2 hours to win the title of “Grampian Chef of the Year 2008”.
The 32 finalists competed in four categories, Grampian Chef of the Year, Grampian Contract Chef of the Year, Grampian Young Chef of the Year and Grampian Seafood Chef of the Year.
All the competitors were required to use local produce, in season, to produce a 3 course meal which was judged on a number factors including working methods, skill, hygiene and balance of flavour.
The awards ceremony was held at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa Hotel, Aberdeen, where around 250 guests gathered to see John Chomba of the Milton Restaurant, Crathes presented with the title of Grampian Chef of the Year 2008. His winning menu consisted of Trio of Monkfish – Loin, Liver and Cheek, Slow braised shin and cutlet of Grampian lamb, and pearl barley risotto, Egg custard tart, strawberry sorbet, strawberry and ginger compote.
Other winners were
Dougie Mitchell of Universal Sodexho who was named Contract Chef of the Year.
Orry Shand of Eat on the Green, Young Chef of the Year, and
Marcin Wilmowicz of the Banchory Lodge Hotel, Seafood Chef of the Year.
Hospitality Training, the event organiser, created Grampian Chef of the Year in 1994 to encourage and recognised culinary talent. According to Karen Black, General Manager, “The interest in culinary arts has soared in recent years. As a training association we recognised this fact very early on, and by introducing Grampian Chef of the Year, with the support of our sponsors, have been able to play a leading role in the promotion our local chefs, their skills, and commitment to using the best local produce”.
James Knowles of the Grampian Food Forum and guest speaker at the dinner congratulated the winners on their success “The high standard of dishes produced, was great news for tourism in Grampian”. James also explained the importance of the link between chefs and food producers. The Grampian Food Forum is a partnership comprising of senior members of the Food and Drink industry in the North East and a key partner in the Grampian Chef of the Year event.
The judging panel was provided by the Federation of Chefs Scotland, well known throughout the industry. The judges were; Joe Queen, President of the Federation of Chefs Scotland; Kevin MacGillivray, Vice President of the Federation of Chefs Scotland, Ian MacDonald, Braehead Foods, Colin Bussey, Chef Consultant, and George McIvor, The Full Range. Joe Queen, Chairman of the judging panel presented the awards and was delighted to see the standards had improved once again, he said “each year the calibre of the finalists who compete becomes more impressive. The winners distinguished themselves throughout the competition. They were focused and determined, all qualities of the most successful chefs”.
In addition to the title John also receives a cash prize, dinner and accommodation at the Darroch Learg Hotel, Ballater, and the opportunity to take part in The Taste of Grampian Event on Saturday the 7th of June 2008.
Sponsors
Grampian Food Forum, Compass Group,
Universal Sodexho,
UniLever Food Solutions,
Search Recruitment Solutions,
The Press and Journal,
Marcliffe Hotel and Spa,
The Ice Cream Cabin,
Aberdeen College,
Braehead Foods,
Mackies of Scotland,
Knowles Food Services,
Davidsons Butchers,
The Lairhillock Inn,
J. Barber and Son Butcher,
Macphie of Glenbervie,
Turriffs of Montrose,
Brakes,
Aberdeenshire Larder,
About Hospitality Training
Hospitality Training are an industry owned Group Training association, formed in 1990 in response to local industry skills shortages.
Grampian Chef of the Year is one of the initiatives that Hospitality Training introduced to the area over 10 years ago to heighten the profile of chefs and promote the career opportunities available in Grampian Region.
For More Information
Karen Black
Hospitality Training,
Suite 6 Westhill Shopping Centre,
Old Skene Rd,
Westhill
AB32 6RL
Tel: 01224 749100
Results
Grampian Chef of the Year 2008
Senior
1st - John Chomba, The Milton, Crathes
2nd - Lee Bell , Mercure Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen
3rd - Addy Daggert, Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie
Contract
1st Silver - Douglas Mitchell, Universal Sodexho
2nd Silver - Yoram Odentz, Universal Sodexho
3rd Bronze - Bruce Lawrence, ESS Support Services Worldwide
Young
1st Gold - Orry Shand, Eat on the Green, Udny Green
2nd Silver - Alan Robertson, Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie
3rd Silver - Neil Hudson, The Olive Tree, Aberdeen
Seafood
1st - Marcin Wilmowicz, Banchory Lodge Hotel, Banchory
2nd - Barry Gauld, The Milton, Crathes
