Raymond Blanc to judge Sodexo Chef of the Year
Raymond Blanc will be one of the judges for the Sodexo Chef of the Year final, which will take place at Hotelympia next month.
The chef-patron of two-Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons will join more than 10 other industry chefs to judge the live cook-off.
National Chef of the Year 2014 winner Russell Bateman, L'Ecrivain proprietor Derry Clarke and Alyn Williams of Restaurant Alyn Williams are also among the judging line-up.
Ten Sodexo finalists will go head-to-head for 90 minutes from 12.15pm on 1 March at London's ExCeL.
The winner will get to experience working alongside Blanc and his team at the new Jardin Blanc Hospitality Village and Queen Elizabeth II Suite at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.
David Mulcahy, Sodexo culinary director, said: "I'm proud to announce our best-ever judging line-up for Sodexo Chef of the Year. Many of the judges have strong links with our business and having them as judges for the live final demonstrates the commitment and emphasis we place on culinary excellence at Sodexo.
"Our chef finalists have already had the chance of working with the judges at our mentor day, and the winner will have the fantastic opportunity of working with Raymond Blanc at our new partnership at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show."
Sodexo is partnering the Springboard Student Centre at Hotelympia and teams will be on hand to talk to young people looking to get into the hospitality industry.
Sodexo Chef of the Year judges
Raymond Blanc, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Derry Clarke, L'Ecrivain
Russell Bateman, Colettes, the Grove
Alyn Williams, Restaurant Alyn Williams
Lewis Hamblet, South Lodge
Mark Hill, the House of Commons
Ben Tish, Salt Yard Group
Olivier Geyer, Leathams
Dan Doherty, Duck and Waffle
James Tanner, the Kentish Hare
Sarah Hartnett, Chef Patissiere
Vivek Singh, Cinnamon Kitchen
Raymond Blanc and Sodexo to deliver RHS Chelsea Flower Show hospitality >>Sodexo secures contract with National Trust for Scotland >>Sodexo secures £7m contract with Covance >>
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