Entries sought for the BCF Chef of the Year 2014
The British Culinary Federation (BCF) is inviting chefs from around the UK to enter its prestigious Chef of the Year competition for 2014.
Supported by butchers Aubrey Allen and Eblex, the 2014 Chef of the Year is offering a total prize pot of £4,000, with £2,500 going to the overall winner, who will also be given the opportunity to join the English National Culinary Team squad in Luxembourg in November 2014 on an all-expenses-paid trip.
The winner will join an exclusive group of past winners including Michelin-starred chefs Luke Tipping and Matt Cheal, executive chef and head chef, respectively, from Simpsons, Birmingham; Simon Hulstone from the Elephant in Torquay; and 2012 BCF Chef of the Year and 2013 National Chef of the Year runner-up Simon Webb.
Webb is also part of an impressive line-up of judges for 2014 including Alain Roux, chef-patron of the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Ashley Palmer-Watts, executive chef of The Fat Duck Group and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and celebrity chef Brian Turner.
The judges will be looking for chefs to demonstrate precision in preparation, creativity and taste while using native ingredients.
Commenting on the last competition, which is biennial, Palmer-Watts said: "BCF Chef of the Year 2012 attracted a very strong line-up of chefs. The standard of the finalists was exceptional and showcased the excellent talent within our industry."
The closing date for entries is 10 January. The semi-final, meanwhile, will take place at University College Birmingham on 10 February, while a butchery workshop for the finalists will take place at Aubrey Allen on 24 March.
The final will take place on 7 April at University College Birmingham and will be followed by an awards dinner.
To receive an entry form or further details regarding the competition, contact Peter Griffiths at peter@salonculinaire.co.uk or telephone 01564 776842.