Young Chef and Young Sommelier of the Year competitions to return this year
Open to all employees under 27 years of age from the Chaine’s member establishments across the country, winners of the Young Chef and Young Sommelier of the Year competition go on to represent Great Britain in the World Finals, being held this year in France.
This year’s Sommelier National Finals will take place on 1 June at The London Edition Hotel in Berners Street, where Matteo Montone, who took gold in the 2019 competition, is wine director. Competitors that have been chosen from their paper entries will be tested on their theory knowledge, blind tasting ability and service skills.
In addition, one competitor will win the Gerard Basset Tasting Trophy – awarded in memory of the world class sommelier who was a mentor, judge and great supporter of the awards - for an excellent performance in the blind tasting and food pairing elements of the competition.
The Young Chef National Finals, meanwhile, will be held on 10 and 11 June at the Unilever kitchens in Leatherhead, in front of a panel of chef judges headed by chef Daniel Galmiche. Competitors will be asked to create a three-course menu for four in four hours using a box of unseen ingredients.
Marks will be given for taste, presentation and originality.
The winner will receive the opportunity for training and restaurant stages, ready for the World Finals, while the highest scoring competitor under 26 will become the Chaine’s representative in the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year contest to be held later in 2021.
The top three candidates from both national finals will be invited to a Young Professionals Awards Dinner taking place at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on 25 June, when the overall winners will be announced.
Entries for this year’s competition need to arrive by 27 April and should be done via email at oq@punvar.pb.hx
