Harrison Catering names its top chefs of 2015

Harrison Catering has named the winners of its 2015 Chef of the Year competitions as Dave Wadner and Naseema Rasheed.

Wadner, chef manager at the company's Motability Operations contract in Bristol, was named Chef of the Year, while Rasheed, catering manager at Coston Primary School in Ealing, won School Chef of the Year.

Mark Stower, director of food and service at the caterer, said: "We at Harrison know that our cooks and chefs are incredibly talented. Our Chef of the Year competition gives them the opportunity to really stretch themselves and show their culinary skills and creativity.

"The standard of food this year was phenomenal and judging in both categories was extremely close. The range of food, the interest level of it, was just fantastic and an absolute credit to all of the competitors."

Wadner produced a three-course menu that offered an innovative take on traditional British favourites, comprising a full English breakfast starter, a main of roast chicken with stuffing and a dessert of strawberries and cream that featured some molecular gastronomy.

The dishes were judged by Ian Nottage, chef director of fruit and vegetable supplier Reynolds, Harrison's executive support and development chef Paul Taylor, and purchasing manager Graeme White.

The winner of each category received the Chef of the Year 2015 trophy, a winner's jacket and a meal for four in a top restaurant.

The final was held at Knorr's Kitchen at Unilever Food Solutions' facility in Leatherhead, Surrey.