Video: Simon Hulstone wins Knorr National Chef of the Year competition

Simon Hulstone, chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Elephant restaurant in Torquay has won the prestigious biennial Knorr National Chef of the Year competition – at the fourth time of asking.

The event, run by the Craft Guild of Chefs and sponsored by Knorr, is one of the most respected culinary challenges in the industry today. Past winners include Gordon Ramsay, Eyck Zimmer, Mark Sargeant and Steve Love.

Hulstone, 33, was named as winner after a live cook-off at the Restaurant Show at London’s Earls Court on Tuesday. He takes home the £10,000 prize.

The chef, a former Roux scholar, created a four-course menu from a selection of ingredients provided in a mystery basket.

Clark Crawley, sous chef, Barclays Wealth in London took best starter; Steve Allen, head chef of London's Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's took best fish course; David Kennedy, chef-proprietor, Black Door restaurant, Newcastle upon Tyne took best main course, and Hulstone was congratulated for devising the best dessert as well as taking the overall title.

Watch footage from the cook off and the awards ceremony here

This year’s other finalists were: Ian Boden, head chef, Limes Restaurant, Derby; Brian Canale, head chef, Heritage Portfolio, Edinburgh; Frederick Forster, head chef, Le Boudin Blanc, London;  and Andreas Wingert, senior sous chef, Lucknam Park Hotel, Colerne, Wiltshire.

Simon's winning menu 

• Starter – Low temperature egg with toffee pea cream and black pudding croquette
• Fish Course – Steamed grey mullet with crab and chilli mousse, mussels and citrus butter sauce
• Main Course – Loin of rabbit with savoy cabbage and parsnip puree
• Dessert – Date pudding with salted butter caramel ice cream
  

Knorr National Chef of the Year finalists announced >>

Knorr National Chef semi-finalists unveiled >>

Eyck Zimmer takes Knorr National Chef of the Year title >>

By Daniel Thomas


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