New categories added to 2010 National Chef of the Year competition

The search for the 2010 National Chef of the Year has been launched by the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Now in its 20th year, the prestigious biannual competition has helped the careers of some of the UK’s best known chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Eyck Zimmer and the incumbent Simon Hulstone, chef patron of the Michelin-starred Elephant in Torquay, Devon.

This year the competition has undergone a series of changes designed to reflect the increasing diversity of the UK hospitality industry.

David Mulcahy, corporate events organiser for the Craft Guild of Chefs, explained: “The National Chef of the Year competition continues to dominate the culinary competition arena and remains the most exciting competition to enter for aspiring chefs.

“In an effort to reflect changes within the restaurant industry, we have made some significant changes to this year’s event, introducing categories to encourage the more ethnically diverse cuisines.”

A total of 40 semi-finalists will be selected through a paper judging process and will go through to four semi finals to be held at catering colleges across the UK. Each heat will concentrate on a different type of cuisine including Asian and Oriental; modern British and Irish; European; and African, American and Australian.

The National Chef of the Year competition, which is open to all working chefs over the age of 21, will culminate in a final to be held at the Restaurant Show in London on 11 October 2010.

The closing date for entrants is 28 May. For further details, contact Clair Bowman on 01293 610329 or visit www.therestaurantshow.co.uk

Video: Simon Hulstone wins National Chef of the Year >>

Bocuse d'Or 2010 - the race is on >>

2010 Roux Scholarship opens for entries >>

By Amanda Afiya

E-mail your comments to Amanda Afiya here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs