Carl Williams wins Lexington Catering's LexChef 2011

Carl Williams, head chef at the offices of investment management firm Man Group, has been named Lexington Catering's LexChef 2011.

This was Williams' third time in the final and this was Man Group's second LexChef winner in a row, after junior sous chef Aaron Slimming in 2010.

Williams competed alongside six other Lexington finalists in the annual cook-off judged by celebrity chefs Phil Howard of The Square, Anthony Demetre of Arbutus and Wild Honey, Mark Flanagan of Buckingham Palace, Michael Coaker from the University of West London and Amanda Afiya of Caterer and Hotelkeeper.

He took the title following a cook-off at Man Group's Riverbank House and won a tasting menu for two, with wines, at The Square, where Howard holds two Michelin stars.

All competitors, including the semi-finalists, received a signed copy of judge Anthony Demetre's book Today's Special.

The six finalists were given three hours in which to produce a three-course menu from a set basket of ingredients. The winning dishes from Williams comprised roast guinea fowl, baby pie with sautéed salsify and girolles followed by orange marmalade soufflé with a bitter chocolate sorbet.

Lexington's chef director Rob Kirby commented "A truly fantastic result, we are all so pleased for Carl. It has been his third year as a finalist and for him to win it this year, at Man Group, is a fantastic result.

"The level of cooking was fantastic and all of the finalist's plates were exceptional. The evening was a massive success and continues to go from strength to strength."

Aaron Slimming wins Lexington Catering's LexChef 2010 >>

Matt Jaynes named as Lexington Catering's LexChef 2008 >>

Lexington chef Sam Potter scoops culinary title >>

By Janie Stamford

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