Acorn winners 2011 – Adam Smith
Age 23
Position Premier sous chef, the Ritz
Nominator Peter Griffiths MBE
Proudest career moment When I won a gold medal at WorldSkills 2009, competing against 36 other countries from around the world. I was only the second ever gold medal for the UK, the other being Simon Hulstone in 1995.
Greatest inspiration John Williams, who I have worked for for the past seven years. He has inspired me with his faultless knowledge and expertise, and also his drive and passion to develop young cooks.
Ambition Like most chefs, I would like to have my own restaurant and gain a reputation and respect from industry peers for producing great food.
Adam Smith started working in the Ritz kitchens in 2004, and has been there ever since. He currently holds the position of premier sous chef.
His nominator calls Adam a true cook, with passion, drive and a love of good food. These qualities saw him scoop a gold medal for the UK at WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary.
In 2010 he was selected to represent the English National Culinary Team at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg, winning another gold medal in the Restaurant of Nations. Last year, he also won the Craft Guild's Chef of the Year award.