December 3rd, 2013
The L20 Hotel School, part of Bootle-based Hugh Baird College, is the toast of the town after hosting one of the UK’s leading culinary events to celebrate the nation’s hottest chefs.
Close to 100 guests were treated to a stunning menu at the Pro Chef Dinner Awards competition.
The exclusive event, organised by Visionarydining.com and the L20 Hotel School’s Mike Mounfield, was the result of months of regional heats whittling down hundreds of competing chefs.
The night began with canapés masterfully created by David Critchley of the London Carriage Works and L20 Hotel School students. This was followed by nine exquisite courses which made up the competition menu.
L20 Hotel School Director Mike Mounfield, a chef himself, ran the kitchen for the evening. He said it was a terrific boost for the students to host such a major event celebrating culinary excellence across the UK.
“It was a great experience to host the Pro Chef Dinner Awards and make Hugh Baird College the home of this year’s event,” said Mike. “This prestigious annual competition is now recognised as one of the major events in the UK culinary calendar. The scale of the event is staggering. It ultimately results in one very special evening uniting the finest new culinary talent from across the UK. The feedback has been overwhelming, not only about the standard of the food and the event, but also the contribution from the L20 Hotel School hospitality students.”
On the night nine top UK chefs partnered with a protégé chef to deliver a single dish, resulting in a nine-course meal. The menu was based around themes including The Mountains, Historic Britain, The Forest, Flight, Shell, Nostalgia, Science, Unique Chocolate and Fire.
Big name chefs taking to the stage included Lisa Allen, of Northcote Manor, Lancashire, Kenny Atkinson of House of Tides, Newcastle, Matt Gillan, of The Pass, West Sussex, Mary Ellen McTague of Aumbry, Manchester, Chris Holland of Alderley Edge Hotel, Paul Foster of Tuddenham Mill, Lee Clarkson of Gilpin Lodge and Mark Greenway of Restaurant Mark Greenway, Edinburgh.
All guests were responsible for judging the courses, eventually crowning duo Kenny Atkinson and Tom Jarvis as overall winners for their dish titled The Mountains. The innovative and artistic dish was given an extra dimension as smouldering heather was taken around the restaurant during the course.
“Tom and I are delighted to have been crowned Pro Chef Final champions,” said Kenny. “The event has been a huge success with all the chefs involved working together to produce amazing food. A special mention has to be made to the students of the L20 Hotel School. They have really stepped up tonight and have been key to ensuring the event has been such a huge success in the kitchen and with service. The L20 Hotel School concept is exactly what the industry needs right now. These students are gaining a real insight into how top chefs work and the level of detail that is required in order to be successful. I am already looking forward to working with them again in the future and being back at the L20 Hotel School restaurant.”
Hugh Baird College principal Yana Williams said:
“We are extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to host the Pro Chef Dinner Awards. The resounding success of the L20 Hotel School has been a major contributing factor to securing the event. It launched with a bang and is continuing to attract great interest. This is testament to Mike’s vision and the hard work and dedication of the students and staff at our college. We are highly ambitious to raise the bar in educational standards and drive aspirations and opportunities for our students. The L20 Hotel School is one of the first in the region and is symbolic of our overall mission to be a progressive, forward-thinking further education college.”
Visionarydining.com managing director and fellow chef Gordon Cartwright said:
“We have spent the last year travelling the length and breadth of the country to discover our culinary stars of tomorrow. The L20 Hotel School and Hugh Baird College was able to showcase the cream of the crop in its impressive facilities and really bring the finalè to life. It was the perfect setting to host the event with the passion and energy which resonates from the new L20 Hotel School. The Pro Chef Dinner Awards is now in its third year and we feel it may have just found its spiritual home.”
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