UK places third as Japan wins Taittinger Prix Culinaire
Tom Scade has taken third place in this year's Taittinger Prix Culinaire after Japan's Kenichiro Sekiya of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Roppongi, Tokyo, scooped the top prize.
The Ritz sous chef (pictured centre with chefs Michel Roux Jr, left, and Brian Turner, right) secured third place in the gruelling international competition after representing his country for the second year running. Antony Maillet of Le Floris in Switzerland came second.
Shortly after the announcement judge Michel Roux Jr - who also mentored Tom - said he was sure there were "only a handful of points between first and third".
He told The Caterer: " It's a brilliant achievement for Tom to come third in such a prestigious competition - and it was very very tight. For me as a judge - and I was tasting only the main course - he was top three definitely, and maybe even top two."
Sekiya, who took home €10,000 along with the trophy, was convinced to enter the competition by Joel Robuchon before the death of the world's most Michelin starred chef earlier this year.
Dubbed the ‘Everest of gastronomy', the Taittinger Prix Culinaire was launched in 1967 by Pierre Taittinger to perpetuate his vision of French cuisine.
No English representative has ever won the competition - even chef Michel Roux Sr only managed to come second place.
The Ritz's Tom Scade wins UK final of the Taittinger Prix Culinaire >>
Switzerland's Tom Meyer wins Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire >>
