Salon Culinaire to host over 80 competition classes

Hotelympia's world-renowned Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres will be hosting over 80 competition classes throughout the five days of the show, running from 26 February - 1 March at ExCeL, London.

The Live Theatre, sponsored by Nestlé Professional, will showcase a series of masterclasses and challenges, including the semi-finals of two international competitions: the Global Chefs Challenge, which Simon Hulstone of the Michelin-starred Elephant in Torquay will compete in; and the Hans Bueschkens Trophy in conjunction with WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies).

There will also be a number of new or improved Live Theatre competitions, including the British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year, judged by Mark Hix and Raymond Blanc; a Taste of Toque, open to full time hospitality students; and the Master Chefs of Great Britain Challenge, which asks chefs to prepare a sustainable fish dish matched with a British sparkling wine.

Salon Display, sponsored by Compass Group, will run across both halls at Hotelympia and will feature a new addition. The Contract Caterers Challenge, sponsored by Elior, is open to food service provider chefs only and asks them to prepare four main courses - two suitable for a staff restaurant and two enhanced for fine dining.

Michael Godfrey, executive head chef for Sodexo at Eton College, has competed, trained and judged at Salon Culinaire over the years. He said: "Making time to visit Hotelympia and seeing the great and the good of the chef world at Salon Culinaire is imperative for people coming through the industry.

"It presents a not to be missed opportunity to glean experience and skills from competing chefs."

Salon director Peter Griffiths added: "We had a record-breaking Salon Culinaire at Hotelympia 2010, with over 800 awards being presented, so it will be a tough year to follow but I'm confident that with our additional and enhanced classes, Salon Culinaire 2012 will be just as successful."

Entries are now open, with a full Salon Culinaire Schedule of competitions and entry form available at www.hotelympia.com The closing date for Salon Display and Live Theatre is 1 December. The La Parade des Chefs deadline is 31 October.

To register your interest and receive a free ticket Hotelympia ticket, go to the website.

Hunt begins for the Essential Cuisine Team of the Year 2012 >>

Hotelympia highlights >>

By Janie Stamford

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