Winner of the 2009 Young Commis Chef National Finals announced

Five of Great Britain’s leading young chefs gathered at Le Cordon Bleu cookery school, Central London, on Wednesday 3 June for the national final of international gastronomic society, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ International Young Commis Chef Competition in association with Gaggenau.

Each contestant was given an identical, previously undisclosed ‘market basket’ containing basic ingredients including a small selection of meat, fish, fruit and vegetables. Using these ingredients, plus a variety of larder staples, contestants were given just 30 minutes to come up with a three-course menu plan for four covers and three hours to cook.

A panel of high-profile judges of international repute – the “four As”, Anton Edelmann, Anton Mosimann, Andrew Turner and Anthony Marshall – assessed the competitors on a 0-10 points system for taste, presentation and originality. Contestants could lose points for lateness and unsatisfactory kitchen hygiene. To ensure total impartiality, a strict blind judging procedure was adopted with contestants were identified by their kitchen station numbers only.

20-year-old Thomas Helyer from Kinnaird Hotel and Sporting Estate in Perthshire (pictured with Philip Evins, Bailli Délégué) scooped the title of Great Britain’s Young Commis Chef of the Year for a three-course meal judges described as “a highly commendable achievement”. Delighted with his win for his first ever competition entry, Thomas said: “There is not much you can train for as you go into the competition totally blind but the competition does allow you to be as creative as you like. And it was great to have a bigger selection of food to choose from than I thought. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead, the Chaîne gives you an amazing opportunity, I can’t wait for New York!”

The judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of the contestants: “All the contestants were so determined today, the entry level was of a particularly high standard. I have been involved in this event for many years, both in the training and the judging and I know how much work is involved. They all did a very good job,” said Anton Mosimann. In agreement, Anton Edelmann added: “The standard is rising every year and I think we have a lot to look forward to in the future. Young chefs are now leaving France behind and looking to the UK for training – it’s an incredibly exciting time for British cuisine.”

In second place was 22-year-old Cameron Bradshaw of Millstream Hotel and Restaurant in West Sussex. Craig McCarron of La Bonne Auberge in Glasgow came third place. Also participating in the competition were 20-year-old Holly Cooper from Thornbury Castle in South Gloucestershire and 22-year-old Tom Thexton of The Waldorf Hilton in London.

All competitors were awarded a GB Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Commis Chef Competition Finalist medal at the end of the challenging yet rewarding day: “It was a great experience; it has inspired me to try even harder,” said Tom Thexon.

Winner Thomas will fly to New York City in October to represent Great Britain at the international final of the competition competing against 30 winners of national finals in countries across the globe to win the titles of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs International Young Commis Chef 2009 and professional entry into the society.

For further details please visit the Young Commis Chefs section of our website, or download the full press release:

Download the Young Commis Chef of the Year Competition 2009 – Press Release (.PDF 370KB)

Date postedJune 22, 2009
Author Philip Evins, Bailli Délégué

This news item is from the Grande Bretagne Bailliage, see more Grande Bretagne News.

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