Finalists Announced for 15th Annual Chefs' Challenge

Conference Centres of Excellence has confirmed the date for the 15th annual Chefs’ Challenge competition, and announced the shortlist of finalists.

Organised by award winning venue Warwick Conferences, the established competition invites chefs who work in any of the nationwide Conference Centres of Excellence centres to take part in a cook-off competition at Stratford Upon Avon College, where their skills are put to the test with specific criteria for their menu. This year the competition has also been opened up to Conference Venues outside the membership group, providing an opportunity to test culinary talents in a head-to-head competition with exceptional standards.

The event is to be held this year on Saturday 9th November, with a celebratory awards dinner held during the evening at EEF Venues Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa.

The competition also includes a Food Service Skills award, to encourage food service staff to take part and support their chef colleague, competing for their own best service skills award and the Chairman’s award for best team.

For Conference Centres of Excellence this event is an additional component to their strategy of continuous quality assurance and is a great opportunity to recognise the achievements of their members’ chefs and a celebration of exceptional food.

The competition has proved to be a stepping stone for young chefs to go on to higher profile competitions nationwide and is endorsed by the British Culinary Federation.  Each Chef receives a certificate and one year’s free membership of the BCF.

This year once again saw an exceptional standard of entries, and the 12 shortlisted finalists are:
• Jennifer Chaudhuri-Goff from Maple House, Etc Venues
• Scott Cawse from Barnett Hill, Sundial Group
• Ryan Dare from Warwick Conferences, supported by Natalja Saveljeva for Food Service Skills
• Robert Gossage from imago, Burleigh Court
• Bartosz Kowalczyk from Missenden Abbey
• Ross McMillan from Stirling Management Centre, supported by Neil Rosewier for Food Service Skills
• Iain Miller from Woodside, Sundial Group
• Daniel Park from Kents Hill Park
• Iain Ramsay from The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre
• Josh Sewell from The Manor House
• Claire Willett from Wyboston Lakes, supported by Megan Horne for Food Service Skills
• Matthew Wiltshire from Ashorne Hill

Anthony Lishman, Conference Centres of Excellences Executive Director said “We have been working with venues to recognise excellence and consistently high professional standards in all aspects of the meetings and events industry for 21 years. This competition has established itself in our annual calendar as the perfect opportunity for our venues’ chefs to showcase their incredible talents and abilities, and we wish all the finalists the very best of luck.”