Ben Champkin named BCF Young Chef of the Year
Ben Champkin, commis chef from Michelin-starred restaurant The Elephant in Torquay has been named the British Culinary Foundation Young Chef of the Year.
In second place was Leonidas Kattou of Simpsons, Birmingham and third place went to Lee Warren, Haileybury College, Hertfordshire.
Now in its 15th year, the competition took place in two heats at University College Birmingham followed by a dinner and awards presentation also at the college.
Champkin was presented with his prize the David Bache Trophy, a study tour of Luxembourg, cheque for £200, commemorative V&B plate and framed certificate.
The competitors had to create a three-course menu for two of which had to include a starter using cod which was provided by the sponsor, FishCo; main course to include offal and dessert of their choice.
Champkin's winning menu comprised, Fillet of Brixham cod with Lyonnais onions, onion consommé, lemon thyme onions, cider and balsamic marinated tapioca and Gruyere cheese; Loin of pork with granola , pigs cheek and wild mushroom ragout with crisp potato, turnip and marrowbone, grilled broccoli, parsnip purée, wild garlic caper jus and chocolate and olive oil truffle, olive oil biscuit, milk ice-cream, Hibiscus and raspberry sea salt, toffee sauce, olive oil and gold tuiles.
Sponsors for the awards include: Villeroy & Boch; Hobart Cooking Solutions; Major International; Gourmet Classic; FishCo.
Competitors in full
Arran Jones, Moat House Hotel, Acton Trussell
Marie Kenny, University College Birmingham
Leonidas Kattou, Simpson's Restaurant, Birmingham
Daniel Lee, Woodland Park Hotel, Leatherhead
Wayne Herrington, Stoke Park, Stoke Poges, Bucks
Luke Miller, Aston Villa FC
Gareth Wayt, Opus Restaurant, Birmingham
William Tranter, The Queens, Belbroughton
Matthew Ryle, The Dorchester, London
Joshua Goode, Bournemouth & Poole College
Andrew Leonard, Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen, N Ireland
Terry Tomlinson, The King's Arms, Christchurch
Tom Phillips, The Ritz Hotel, London
Julien Pickersgill, The House of Commons
Ben Champkin, The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay
Lee Warren, Haileybury College, Hertfordshire (Compass Group)
By Katherine Alano
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