Hotel Cateys 2011 - Hotel Chef of the Year (fewer than 250 covers)
Sponsored by Matthew Clark
WINNER: Adam Simmonds, executive chef, Danesfield House, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Adam Simmonds has had quite a year. Although the Welwyn Garden City-born chef has been working at Danesfield House in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, since 2007, it is the past year-and-a-half that has seen him really blossom in his role.
Earlier this year, he was awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant, Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House; he was placed 12th in the country in the Good Food Guide 2012 with an 8/10 for his cooking, and he cemented his standing in the AA Restaurant Guide with the award of four AA rosettes for the fourth consecutive year.
Indeed, the AA Restaurant Guide 2012 declares: "Adam Simmonds is among Britain's most talented practitioners of contemporary cooking, bringing astonishing levels of technical skill to outstandingly creative dishes."
Danesfield House general manager Brian Miller agrees. "During Adam's tenure as executive chef at Danesfield, the perception of the hotel's food and food service has been transformed. This has resulted in increased business from both the private and corporate markets."
Miller believes that the PR activities that Simmonds has achieved for the hotel have created considerable increases in the hotel's levels of business.
As the Good Food Guide 2012 writes: "Chef Adam Simmonds now has full control of the food throughout the hotel, and this self-named dining room is his gastronomic mission statement."
The 18 chefs in Simmonds's brigade have proved loyal and committed to Danesfield House, motivated by the executive chef who allows his chefs to move between the sections - and the hotel's three kitchens.
What the judges said...
"Running and maintaining all food outlets within a luxury hotel is tough, and to achieve a Michelin star, four AA rosettes and 8/10 in the Good Food Guide shows pure passion and determination, but more importantly a great leader, a true example of a great chef."
Kenny Atkinson, head chef, Rockliffe Hall
"Adam has done a wonderful job at Danesfield House. Winning the Hotel Cateys is one of the highlights of anybody's career, next to a Michelin star. What can be better than that?"
Anthony Marshall, executive chef, London Hilton on Park Lane
THE JUDGES
Kenny Atkinson, head chef, Rockliffe Hall
Henry Brosi, executive chef, the Dorchester
Shay Cooper, executive chef, the Bingham
Hywel Jones, executive chef, Lucknam Park hotel
Anthony Marshall, executive chef, London Hilton on Park Lane
Steve Munkley, executive chef, Royal Garden hotel, London
Simon Young, executive chef, Jumeirah Carlton Tower
THE SHORTLIST
Richard Allen, Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa, St Helier
Tony Fleming, One Aldwych Hotel, London
Adam Simmonds, Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, Marlow
FORMER WINNERS
2010 Shay Cooper, the Bingham, Richmond, Surrey
2009 Kenny Atkinson, Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa
2008 Simon Radley, the Chester Grosvenor and Spa
2007 Hywel Jones, Lucknam Park