GLOBAL TRIUMPH FOR CHAINE GB’S YOUNG CHEF AND YOUNG SOMMELIER – ONCE AGAIN! The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier are among the best in the world! That’s official - as chef Jordon Powell and sommelier Matteo Montone return home in triumph from the World Championships, held in Calgary, Canada and Seoul, South Korea respectively. Facing stiff competition in Calgary from 22 other countries - including Canada and the USA, Australia, Norway, Finland, Italy and Thailand - Jordon Powell, 21, from South Lodge Hotel, Sussex , with his 3-course meal from a mystery basket of ingredients, turned in a performance that won him second place overall . The highest achievement for a British chef in this global competition for almost forty years. ‘I was over the moon to be awarded the silver medal for Great Britain, and for my cooking to be judged to that high a standard!’ said Jordon afterwards. ‘With just three medals on offer, it meant that 20 countries went away empty-handed…I’m glad that we weren’t among them’.
But it was 30 year old Matteo Montone, Wine Director at the London EDITION and the 2019 Chaine GB Young Sommelier, who took the top honours. In a tense and close-run final in South Korea, after two days of competition against sommelier representatives from countries including Russia, Canada and Germany, Milan-born Matteo won Gold, and the World Champion title. Beating Jonathan Eichholz from the USA by just a few marks, and Australia’s Andres Aragon into third place. ‘This is probably the greatest achievement of my life’, commented Matteo on his title win. ‘I’ve worked very hard to prepare for this, and to win was a dream come true!

It was indeed a triumph for Great Britain, having produced the top sommelier in the world for the third year running, and taking first or second place in the last nine out of ten years. ‘With Matteo’s superb effort, we have kept up our outstanding track record in the event’ said Philip Evins, Bailli Délégué for the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB . ‘My sincere thanks to those who helped him to prepare for the contest – Dimitri Mesnard, Isa Bal and Nicholas Clerc – and our partners with whose help we are able to run our national competition. ‘We were delighted with Jordon’s brilliant cook-off too. Congratulations to him as he furthers his career, and to the team who helped in his preparation for the contest – Vic Laws, Ben Purton and Daniel Ayton – as well as those who hosted stages, Mosimanns & the Royal Lancaster London Hotel. It goes to show that Britain really does produce young hospitality talent that is the best in the world.’