Thursday night saw the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2010 held at the Lancaster London. The theme was pure skill, pure talent and pure magic. A really lovely menu and wine was follwed by the awards. At least this year I wasn't as nervous as last year being nominated for the Young Chef Award - I won last year and this year I was really pleased to see Adam Smith receieve the award. Adam who is Sous Chef at The Ritz under the leadership of John Williams last year won only the second gold for UK at WorldSkills Canada 2009. Adam actually started his WorldSkills journey back in 2006 when I firt started my WorldSkills journey. Although Adam didn't get through the team for 2007, he cam back stronger and a better chef to lft the ultimate crown last September. Sarah Hartnett won the well deserved award for Pastry Chef of the Year . Sarah is Head Pastry Chef at The Sheraton Park Lane Hotel. Congratulations to both. The Special Award ths year went to the 'chef's Chef' - Pierre Koffman who receieved a standing ovation from all the guests. A great night and good chance to meet loads of people and some good friends too.
I had an amzing email from Alain Roux from the Waterside today, and am completley overwhelmed by it.
I'm currently organsing a charity event called "Strictly Come Dining" on Saturday 25th September at The Pinewood Hotel in aid of Calabash Trust which will raise money for children in the townships of South Africa, mainly Port Elizabeth (where the England team will hopefully win tomorrow!!!). The black tie evening will have a champagne reception for which Laithwaites Wines have donated the champagne, followed by 4 course dinner cooked by Luke Thomas (Futurechef winner and very talented young chef), The Pinewood Hotel, a guest Celebrity chef and I will be doing the dessert along with Alistair Birt, that has ingredients sponsored by Graham Beaumont of Fifi.The evening will culminate after an aucton with entertainment from some of the UK's top Jazz musicians who are regulary featured in the bands of "Strictly Come Dancing", "Parkinson" and "The X Factor"!
I've been asking companies to donate prizes or sponsorship for the auction and have had some great responses from the likes of Chelsea Football Club, The Fat Duck, Elior, Kempton Park Race Course, The Comedy Club and Barry Callebaut to name but a few. However the email today tops it all!! Now The Waterside being the Waterside doesn't normally give out prizes or donations but have given me an AWESOME auction prize.....for two people, a morning in the kitchen watching mise en place for service with the chefs, followed by the tasting menu and wines for lunch!!!!!!! Alain's generosity is amazing and I hope it will raise lots of money for the great cause. The event is actually sold out completly but if you want to get in touch with a view to prizes, donation or ingredient sponsorship then do contact me! www.willtorrent.com
It's been a while but life has really been busy! Business at Bachmanns is booming and great news that we have just secured our second site which will be a new build in Weybridge so keep posted to www.bachmanns.co.uk for more info!
Getting really excited at the moment as we are organising a Caterer round table event exclusively for me getting together some of the best chocolatiers and leading buisness men and women to discuss their businesses and what I can do to be different from them in the near future when I hopefully will be able to set my own place up. Guests already include William Curley, Claire Clark, Chantal Coady and Eric Lanlard. Whats also amazing is that it will be at The Gherkin!!!!
Had a lunch today as part of the UKSkills selection competition in Restuarant Service. The competitors were so nervous but having been through it, I knew ewxactly how they were feeling. Best of luck to all the competitors for tomorrow!!!
Another busy week at work coming up including The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards on Thursday night which I'm really looking forward to!