Academy of Culinary Arts rewards young hospitality talent
The Academy of Culinary Arts has announced its winners of its 25th Annual Awards of Excellence that celebrate the very best of rising talent in the hospitality industry.
A host of top chefs and previous winners, including Gary Rhodes and Brian Turner, saw 25 candidates aged between 20-26 from the kitchen, pastry and service sectors receive high acclaim for their talent and skill, although judges noted in particular three young people who stood out above the rest.
Martin Malinowski-Evans from Terry Laybourne`s Cafe 21 in Newcastle won the top accolade for the kitchen category, beating off competition in a five-hour cook-off to produce four generic dishes, including a sautT of artichokes, lardons and wild mushrooms with a deep fried duck egg and hollandaise sauce.
Topping the pastry category was Louise Rigden of Raymond Blanc`s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, who again endured a five-hour cook-off to produce a Christmas celebration cake, six mille-feuille and 12 moon-shaped fleurons, and six individual raspberry soufflTs.
Max Westphal of the Gleneagles Hotel secured his place as the best in service by decanting and describing a wine, and serving a three-course meal with wine and liqueurs for two.
The Annual Awards of Excellence are intended to inspire and encourage young members of the hospitality industry to attain the highest possible standards in their chosen sector, and to offer them clear guidelines for success in their career.
All three winners received, amongst other prizes, £500 from the British Hospitality Association plus a trip to Barbados for the Island’s food festival in October. Entries for the 2009 awards will be accepted in September.
Shortlisted Entries for the 2008 awards:
Kitchen
Jacek Grochowina, The Ritz Hotel Club
Martin Malinowski-Evans, CafT 21,Newcastle
David Murray, Claridge’s Hotel
Dale Ormston, The Halfmoon
Mark York, Bridgewater Concert Hall, Manchester
Pastry
Martin Bullough, Bents Garden Centre, Cheshire
Sarah Frankland, William Curley
Diana von Kalnassy, The Lanesborough
Sarah Poliakov, Roux Fine Dining
Louise Rigden, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Michelle Thorne, The Lanesborough
Service
Philippe Bonjean, The Cadogan Hotel
Thomas Brunel, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Aurelie Calame, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Alexander Flasdieck, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Greig Guthrie, Catch 22, Glasgow
Julia Krettek, Strathearn Restaurant, Gleneagles
Sebastien Massot, Le Gavroche
Mayta Meza-Cumpa, Opus Restaurant, Birmingham
Lynsey Milner, Strathearn Restaurant, Gleneagles
Cem Pekcan, Strathearn Restaurant, Gleneagles
Robert Rose, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Ashraf Saleh, Galvin at Windows
Christopher Snoxall, Gleneagles Hotel
Max Westphal, Gleneagles Hotel
