Simon Hulstone to compete in 2010 Escoffier Challenge
Simon Hulstone and Le Cordon Bleu student Ivo Galvao Filho will represent the UK at the 50th International Escoffier Challenge next year, after winning the British Grand Final.
After a gruelling four-hour final held at Hammersmith College last week, Hulstone, chef/proprietor of the one Michelin-starred The Elephant in Torquay, and Filho, cuisine diploma graduate from Le Cordon Bleu, were chosen to represent the UK in the respective professional and student categories at the Escoffier international final held in Deauville, Normandy in March 2010.
Candidates for the final were required to cook a traditional Auguste Escoffier starter of Artichoke filled with Mushroom Duxelle, Poached Duck, Sauce Choron and Mushroom Fumet, before cooking a dish of their choice using chicken and four garnishes.
Hulstone is also once again representing the UK in its bid for a place at the 2011 Bocuse d'Or, and will compete in the European finals held in Geneva in June next year.
Speaking to BigHospitality, Hulstone said: "The Escoffier is a very prestigious competition but its also a great testing ground for the Bocuse d’Or. If we get through the European stages the Escoffier will give me a chance to practice for the competition. I’m also doing some travelling to Denmark and France soon to see what the Scandinavians and French are up to. I need to learn from the masters and not just expect to win."
Organised by the Association Culinaire Francaise and Philippe Vandewalle, head chef at The Ritz, the Escoffier British Grand Final was judged by a panel of 12 high profile chefs, including Pascal Aussignac and Jean Denis Le Bras.
