The Craft Guild of Chefs reposted this
Last Monday evening, it was an honour to host The Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year Finalists at The Odney Club in Maidenhead, before the Mentor Day the following day. The finalists were joined by Chairs of Judges, organisers, former winners and special guests for an evening of networking, great food and a culinary conversation. Beginning with a Leckford Estate Brut reception, it was fantastic to work alongside the Odney Team led by Michael Abadee and Matthew Burbage as well as Gastronomy Plus Ltd to create a delicious barbecue for guests to enjoy using Waitrose & Partners products and ingredients. Dishes included; 🍔 Chermoula Lamb Shoulder Burger (made using Alliance Group Limited Lumina Lamb and flavoured with Essential Cuisine Chermoula Spice Mix), with No.1 Tomato & Chilli Jam, Toasted Wildfarmed White Roll and Rosemary and Parmigiano Reggiano Fries 🎣 Grilled No.1 Scottish Salmon with No.1 Watercress Tzatziki, No.1 British Dulce Joya Vine Tomato Salad and Watercress 🍄 Asian-inspired Celeriac & No.1 British Woodland Mushroom Skewers with No.1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous, Ottolenghi Green Harissa and Warmed Flatbread Following the food, guests enjoyed a culinary conversation hosted by Competition Organiser David Mulcahym featuring former National Chef of the Year winners including Nick Smith, Tom Swaby and Russell Bateman with NCOTY Chair Matt Abe answering questions and helping to put them at ease. Such a great evening, but the food didn't stop there! On returning to their bedrooms (after a trip to the bar), guests received a a special box of Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Award-winning, locally made brownies from Epic Brownies. Massive thanks to Robyn Hickling, Billie Moore, Toby Wand, Cora Strachan, Karen Winter (Fewell) and many more for helping to bring my idea to life! 📸 Hospitality Media #NCOTY