Adam Bennett among 16 Master of Culinary Arts finalists

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Adam Bennett among 16 Master of Culinary Arts finalists

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Chef Adam Bennett is among the 16 finalists for the Master of Culinary Arts (MCA), often considered to be the UK’s toughest culinary competition.

The awards, which launched in 1987, are organised by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and only presented once every four years.

Though hundreds of restaurant professionals have entered only a handful have made the grade. Previous winners include chefs Jeff Galvin and Andre Garrett, restaurant manager Diego Masciaga, and pastry chef Benoit Blin.

To receive the title of Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) competitors must complete a gruelling and classical advanced skills test, as well as demonstrating leadership skills and the ability to support the development of others.

Bennett will join chefs from University College Birmingham (UCB), The Ritz, Coworth Park and Restaurant Associates in the final at UCB on 23 September. There will also be separate finals for pastry chefs at The Taste Lab on 16 July and front-of-house professionals at Le Gavroche on 30 September.

The winners will be announced at a Gala Presentation Dinner on 5 October at Claridge’s in London.

The 2017 Finalists are as follows:

Chefs

Adam Bennett, chef director, The Cross at Kenilworth

Chris Hill, premier sous chef, The Ritz Hotel

Adam Smith, executive chef, Coworth Park

Adam Thomason, head chef, Deloitte, Restaurant Associates

Anthony Wright, senior chef lecturer, University College Birmingham

 

Pastry chefs

Alistair Birt, head pastry chef, Harrods

Nicolas Bouhelier, head pastry chef, Lainston House Hotel

Nicholas Patterson, teaching chef, Le Cordon Bleu

Julie Sharp, pastry chef technical adviser, Barry Callebaut UK

Ross Sneddon, executive pastry chef, The Balmoral Hotel

Restaurant management and service

Lukas Andr, restaurant manager, Sexy Fish, Caprice Holdings

Alessandro Fasoli, general manager, The Woodspeen Restaurant and Cookery School

Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverage, The Ritz London

Devid Isabella, restaurant manager, Wentworth Golf Club

Karim Le Cloarec, general manager, Searcys at The Gherkin

Pierre Rizet-Mosser, food & beverage manager, The Montagu Arms Hotel

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