Hulstone picks Spain for scholarship stage
Simon Hulstone, who won the prestigious 2003 Roux Scholarship in April, is off to the Basque country of northern Spain for three months to work at the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Martin Berasategui in Lasarte. The stage, which can take place at any three-Michelin-starred restaurant of the winning scholar's choice, is the central prize of the competition. Commenting on his choice, 38-year-old Hulstone - head chef at Cotswold House hotel, Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire - said: "Martin Berasategui is one of the newest three-stars around, and I think his food will be something that I can relate back to Cotswold House."
Heptinstall winner heads for New York
The dream of working alongside legendary chef Thomas Keller moved a step closer for Magalie Leray with her success in the William Heptinstall Award 2003.
Leray, chef de partie at the RAC Club, London, won the £3,000 award after impressing the judges with her plans to further her career through travel.
Administered by the International Wine & Food Society, the annual award - now in its 30th year - is open to young chefs who have ambitions to improve their culinary skills by working and travelling abroad. It was established in 1973 in memory of William Heptinstall, who was chef-proprietor of the Fortingall hotel in Glen Lyon, Perthshire.
The judges included Brian Turner of Brian Turner Mayfair; John Williams, chef de cuisine, Claridge's, London; Simon Fooks, head of catering, Merchant Taylors' Hall and representing the Worshipful Company of Cooks; Rosemary Joekes, former cookery book editor; and John Valentine, former council member of the International Wine & Food Society.
Leray, originally from Nantes, France, aims to work in New York at Keller's yet to-be-named new restaurant in the Palladium Building, due to open this October.
"Winning this award will hopefully help me to achieve my ambition," said Leray, who would also like to use some of her prize money to visit Paul Bocuse's restaurant in Lyons, France.
Northampton wins Moat House kitchen prize
Northampton's Moat House hotel has won the chain's biennial competition to find its best-performing kitchen.
Head chef Alan Whitely, 29, who leads a nine-strong brigade, said he couldn't have achieved the prize without the hard work of his team. "It's all about motivation. You have to keep them keen," he added.
The competition, worth £1,000 to the winners and sponsored by Diversey Lever, is judged on criteria including gross profit on food, feedback from guests, kitchen cleanliness and stock rotation. Kitchens were assessed over the past year by external audits.
Whitely and his team cater for the hotel's à la carte restaurant, its bar, conference café and a 650-seat banqueting facility. They also provide a room-service facility.