Marking the return of live competition, ESS chefs joined the Compass Group UK & Ireland team at this year’s International Salon Culinaire, the three-day Hotel, Restaurant & Catering show (HRC) at ExCeL London.
The team competed against hundreds of chefs in almost 30 different competitions across three elements: Salon Live – live cooking competitions; Salon Display – static exhibits; and Skills Theatre – live kitchen and service skills competitions for students. The Compass team achieved an impressive 14 Best in Class awards and 3 Best Overall awards. In addition, the medal haul included 9 Gold, 22 Silver, 21 Bronze, 9 Merit and 2 Hygiene Awards.
Congratulations to the following ESS chefs who picked up awards:
Barry Fleming:
- Bronze Award - Dessert Plates
Chris Macleod:
- Best Kitchen Larder Exhibit
- Gold Award - Petit Fours
- Silver & Best in Class Award - Show of Presentation Platter
David Auchie:
- Silver & Best in Class Award - Starter Plates
Gordon McKenzie:
- Bronze Award - Mystery Basket Grand Prix
Izabela Ginter:
- Merit Award - Open Lamb
- Bronze Award - Mystery Basket Grand Prix
- Silver & Best in Class Award - Restaurant Fish Course
Lee Brooking:
- Silver Award - Mystery Basket Grand Prix
Matt Lord:
- Silver Award - Mystery Basket Grand Prix
Nathan Clark:
- Bronze Award - Show of Presentation Platter
- Silver Award - Main Course Plates
Shannon Lippiatt:
- Silver Award - Jnr Lamb
- Silver Award - Lemon Sole Filleting
- Silver Award - Butcher a Whole Chicken
- Gold & Best in Class Award - Jnr 3 Course Vegetarian / Plant Based Menu
Shona Sutherland:
- Best Senior Display
- Best Overall Pastry
- Gold & Best in Class Award - Petit Fours
- Silver Award - Tea Pastries
Simon Coulter:
- Silver & Best in Class Award - 3 Course Vegetarian / Plant Based Menu
Stephen Benn:
- Merit Award - Plant or Arrangement
Nick Vadis, Compass Group UK & Ireland Culinary Director, commented:
“Hotelympia or the HCA Show has always been the culinary highlight of the year and Compass has been the headline sponsor for over 20 years. Compass has a great culinary heritage, and we give our chefs the opportunity to develop not only organically from within, but also represent themselves and the business in the competition arena. ESS chefs delivered an outstanding result this year, winning many awards through dedication, determination and skill. We are so proud of each and every one of you for what you have achieved!”
