November 30th, 2013
We were 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.
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.
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. 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.
L20 Hotel School Director Mike Mounfield
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.
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.
Visionarydining.com managing director and fellow chef Gordon Cartwright
Mentor: Kenny Atkinson (Twice winner of the BBC’s Great British Menu and regular on Saturday Kitchen)
Protégé: Tom Jarvis (Handpicked Hotels)
Menu Challenge: The Mountains
Mentor: Adam Brown (Visionarydining Pro Chef Mentor Champion 2012, Head Chef Brockencote Hall)
Protégé: Jason Smith (Chef Lecturer Stafford College)
Menu Course: Historic Britain
Mentor: Matt Gillan (BBC Saturday Kitchen, 1 Michelin star The Pass, South Lodge)
Protégé: Zek Klietz (Head Chef, Crescent Road Restaurant, Worthing)
Menu Course: The Forest
Mentor: Paul Foster (Head Chef at Tuddenham Mill, BBC Saturday Kitchen, 3 AA Rosettes)
Protégé: Dan Bland (Proprietor and Head Chef of The Wheatsheaf, Dry Doddington)
Menu Course: Flight
Mentor: Lisa Allen (Head Chef at Northcote, 1 Michelin Star)
Protégé: Andre Schreiber (Smiths Hotel, Gretna)
Menu Course: From Shell
Mentor: Mark Greenaway (Chef Proprietor Restaurant Mark Greenaway, Edinburgh)
Protégé: David Hampshaw (Chef at Manchester Central)
Menu Course: Nostalgia
Mentor: Lee Clarkson Head Chef Gilpin Hotel & Lake House Windermere 3 Rosettes, Relais Chateaux
Protégé: Matt Tiler Chef de Partie Gilpin Hotel & Lake House Windermere
Menu Course: Science
Mentor: Chris Holland (Head Chef Alderley Edge Hotel, Great British Menu)
Protégé: James Connolly Head Chef Bubble Room Liverpool
Menu Course: Unique Chocolate
Mentor: Mary Ellen McTague (Chef Proprietor, Aumbry, Great British Menu)
Protégé: Harry Marquart (Chef de Partie, London Carriage Works)
Menu Course: Fire
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