Niall Keating awarded Michelin Young Chef accolade
Whatley Manor executive chef Niall Keating has collected a prestigious award from Michelin at a ceremony that saw some of the world's top chefs congregate in Budapest earlier today.
Keating beat four other Michelin-starred chefs from across Europe to win the Michelin Young Chef Award 2018, which he was presented with at the European Michelin Guide Star Day in the Hungarian capital.
The event, celebrating European gastronomy, played host to a rollcall of the biggest names in professional cookery, including Guy Savoy, Georges Blanc, Elena Arzak, Pascal Barbot, Raymond Blanc, and Quique Dacosta.
Keating was one of five young chefs who have recently received a Michelin star who was shortlisted for the accolade, following an assessment of their culinary potential and their career progress to date.
He won his first Michelin star in October 2017, aged just 26, less than a year after joining Whatley Manor.
Prior to that, he held position at Michelin-starred restaurants in three countries including Sat Bains (two Michelin stars near Nottingham), Benu (which has three Michelin stars and is located in San Francisco), and Kong Hans Kælder (who is based in Copenhagen and holds one star).
Sue Williams, general manager at Whatley Manor, who has known Keating since 2010 when he started his career as a commis chef at the Bath Priory hotel, said: "I feel immensely proud to be working alongside Niall and supporting him on his culinary journey.
"There was never a moment's doubt in my mind that he is a top talent, oozing with original ideas.
"His focus is unwavering, and his comprehension of the sector in which he operates is impressive for his age.
"Knowing Niall as I do, he will accept this wonderful recognition with humility and will share the success with his team."
Christian Landholt, owner of Whatley Manor said: "I am so excited for Niall to have won this award!
"Despite having been at Whatley Manor for only 14 months, I have quickly grown to admire not only his incredible talent and creativity as a chef, but also his work ethic and respect towards his colleagues.
"It is wonderful to have Niall as part of the team at Whatley.
"I now look forward to continue supporting him in his career and helping him achieve his further goals and ambitions."
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