Northampton College to host UK Culinary Event of the Year

Aiden Byrne: Visionary Mentor of the Year 2011 Serving up the dish created by candidate chef Rohan Nevins

Nine of the UK’s most talented and celebrated chefs will engage in a gastronomic competition on the 29th November at Northampton College that is both unique and innovative within the hospitality industry awards calendar.

Throughout 2012 nine top chefs have been staging inspirational mentoring and training days around the UK, “X Factor” style, to each find a culinary unknown chef worthy of mentoring to reach world class standards of culinary skill, passion and style. The search has stretched from London to Glasgow and included almost 150 chefs throughout the UK who have strived to pair up with a celebrity mentor.

The final on the 29th of November is not only a celebration of skill and achievement but is also a competition within which all of the diners present are also judges. It will be the diners on the night who will crown this year’s Visionary Chef of the Year 2012, a title won in 2011 by Chef mentored by Aiden Byrne, Rohan Nevins, pictured. This year’s crowing judge will be celebrated Michelin Starred celebrity chef Mark Sergeant, protégé of Gordon Ramsay.

The winners from each of the regional heats will now accompany their mentor in the Visionary Chef of the Year Dinner on the 29th November 2012 at Northampton College’s stunning new venue.

Mike Coppock, Director of Hospitality at Northampton College is not only relishing working with 9 world class chefs for a day, and tough judge Mark Sergeant, but agrees that serving a 9 course tasting menu which includes 1350 dishes over a six hour period is not without significant challenge. ‘’Allowing our students to work alongside industry greats gives us all a real buzz. Winning the tender to host this event is a great honour that sits alongside the ambitions that we as a college set ourselves.’

The winning chef on the night will be judged not only by the diners present, but also by a world class judging panel.

Head of Judges Mark Sergeant, alongside Peter Birnie, Former Chief Restaurant Inspector at the AA who explains what his team will be looking for on the night. ‘’The winner on the night will demonstrate a natural visionary culinary philosophy that showcases clear natural vibrant flavours, flawless textures and high levels of intuitive skill. Ultimately, the winning dish will provide a WOW factor and be memorable.’

Managing Director of visionarydining.com, Gordon Cartwright, is keen to point out the novelty of this competition. ‘Whilst this final provides an exciting climax to this year’s programme, the mentoring of unknown chefs throughout the year by celebrity chefs has been both inspirational and motivating. The sharing of skills means that standards up and down the country will benefit. To be Chief Judge at the Visionary Chef of the Year dinner we look for a chef with impeccable 3 Star credentials, a celebrated TV Career and an overview of international culinary standards second to none, and Mark Sergeant is just that man, we look forward to working with him”

For information on tickets visit http://conta.cc/UfXBku

Click here for information on tickets

Click here for link