Bailliage de Grande Bretagne – News Items

Thursday 3rd of June saw the 34th annual national final of the Chaîne International Young Chef of the Year Competition, held at the Gaggenau showroom in Central London.

L-R Philip Evins, Denis Drame, Thomas Spencerly, Helen Shaw, Anthony Marshall, Mickael Weïss, Vic Laws

The winner was announced as Thomas Spencerly (20) from Swinton Park, Masham, North Yorkshire, who cooks under head chef Simon Crannage. This was Thomas’ first time competing individually since leaving culinary college. From his unseen ‘market basket’ of ingredients, Thomas whipped up a 3 course feast of pan seared trout with lemon marinated asparagus and courgette, black pudding stuffed loin of pork with pea puree, fondant potatoes and a red wine jus, and a vanilla infused pannacotta with lemon, lime and ginger jam.

Runner up was Dale Chamberlain from Lainston House, Winchester and third place was awarded to Daniel Morgan from Latymers, Bagshot. Head judge Anthony Marshall, executive chef of the Hilton Park Lane and a previous Young Chef winner himself, said “it was extremely difficult to choose a winner and came down to a matter of two or three points between contestants. The standard was incredibly high for such young chefs.”

In 2010, British restaurants hold more Michelin stars than ever before, proving that the current enthusiasm for cooking has ushered in a golden age of gastronomy. The rise of TV chefs and cookery programmes means that today there is even greater interest and participation in the culinary arts. The Chaîne is keen to encourage and celebrate young professional chefs who will set future standards within the industry. “From a consumer point of view these competitions ensure the maintenance and growth of standards which make the whole restaurant experience more enjoyable, and for the chefs they can use them to enhance their careers and aspire to greater things” said Philip Evins, head of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in the UK.

Thursday 27th May saw the 3rd annual national final of the GB finalof the International Young Sommelier Competition, held at the Gaggenau showroom in Central London.

The winner was announced as Clement Robert (24) from The Summer Lodge in Evershot, Dorset. Previously Head Sommelier at Hotel du Vin, Cambridge, Clement is now under the supervision of Eric Zwiebel, Head Sommelier of The Summer Lodge and previous runner-up in the World’s Best Sommelier competition. The panel of judges said all contestants demonstrated tremendous skill and precocious talent in their field. As well as the prestigious title of UK Young Sommelier of the Year, Clement received prizes from Riedel glassware and Gaggenau as well a trip to Australia to visit Pernod Ricard’s wineries. Second place in the competition was awarded to Erica Laler of Texture restaurant, London for the second year in a row and third was awarded to Loic Avril, the protégée of Isa Bal at the Fat Duck in Bray.

Our Echanson, Gerard Basset, is the winner of the World Sommelier Championships held this year in Santiago, Chile. Bravo Gerard !

Frances Griffiths appointed Chargé de Missions (ACCR) to co-ordinate GB’s support for the Chaîne’s worldwide Charity program.

Philip Evins, Bailli Délégué, announces that Philip Douglas is appointed Chancelier effective 1 December 2009.

The winner of GBs Young Sommelier Competition, Yohann Jousselin, won the international competition held in Stratford on Friday 26 September.

Gala Dinner is now fully booked, but don’t miss out on Friday evening’s Celebration Dinner and awards.

20-year-old Thomas Helyer from Kinnaird Hotel and Sporting Estate in Perthshire scooped the title of Great Britain’s Young Commis Chef of the Year.

25-year-old Yohann Jousselin from Hotel du Vin in Winchester won the prestigious title of Great Britain’s Young Sommelier of the Year.

The Chaîne International Young Commis Chef of the Year Competition, in association with Gaggenau, takes place on Wednesday June 3rd 2009.

The Chaîne International Young Sommelier of the Year Competition in association with Gaggenau and Pernod Ricard UK Wednesday June 10th 2009.

Laura Rhys, Sommelier, Winner of GB’s inaugural Young Sommelier Competition in 2008, has just won the prestigious UK Sommelier of the Year, following a tense final held at the Tate Modern in London.

Pernod Ricard UK partner the Chaîne to provide support to our Young Sommeliers Competition.

GB awarded the hosting of the 2009 Jeune Sommelier Competition Finals

Gaggenau and Riedel partner the Chaîne to provide support to our two Young Professionals Competitions.

The 49th International Grand Chapitre de Grande Bretagne will be held in London’s Canary Wharf, from 26 to 28 September 2008.

The grand finals of the Young Commis Chef Competition in Great Britain took place on Wednesday 11 June in Le Cordon Bleu School in London.

The grand finals of the first international Young Sommeliers Competition in Great Britain took place on Thursday 5 June in the showrooms of Gaggenau in London.

This year sees the worldwide roll-out of a new blazon for professional members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

The Bailliage de Grande Bretagne launches its new website.

‘Corks and Corkscrews’ with John Ericson, followed by Dinner.