Essential Cuisine has started the search for the dream teams of chefs that will compete in the Hotelympia Live Theatre final at London’s ExCel next year.
However, teamwork will not be the only decider in the 2012 competition as participants will also be asked, for the first time, to devise a signature dish that would be successful in their own establishments.
“We are great believers in teamwork at Essential, and even our development chefs are encouraged to work together to create products that are as good as a chef’s own,” said Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine.
“In the fourth year of our teamwork challenge, however, we are also keen to see teams use the opportunity to create something distinctive, a signature dish, for their own operations.”
The signature dishes will make creative use of Essential’s new line of Signature stocks and sauces, which include Beef Jus, Red Wine Jus, Hollandaise Sauce and Chicken Stock Reduction.
Finalists will also be given 60 minutes to prepare, cook and present an amuse bouche followed by a fish course using Essential’s Lobster Glace or Fish Stock for two covers.
To register for Team of the Year 2012, e-mail essential@proactivecompetitions.co.uk.
● The winners of Essential Cuisine’s Chef’s Team at Hospitality 2011 were non-commissioned officers Staff Sergeant Jamie Webster and Corporal James St Claire-Jones from the Royal Logistic Corps’ Catering Support Regiment.