Our six finalists have been announced and will now go forward to the live cook off on Tuesday 19 November to be judged by celebrity chef and Coeliac UK’s Food Ambassador, Phil Vickery and a panel of industry experts.
The competition comprises two categories:
- Gluten-free Chef of the Year – for those who cook for a living and are over 23
- Up and Coming Gluten-free Chef of the Year – for those who are training and under 23.
Entrants will be showcasing their skills by including gluten-free substitutes cooked from scratch at the live final such as bread, pasta or batter.
After an extensive first round of blind judging, the following have been named as the three finalists from each category:
Gluten-free Chef of the Year
- Christopher Bridge from Keswick, Head Chef at Charlotte’s View Restaurant at Ravenstone Manor
- Thomas Fallows from Burnley, Assistant Chef at Hindelinis at Ribblesdale Park and also studying Professional Cookery Level 2 VRQ at Accrington & Rossendale College
- Carol Salisbury from Renfrew in Scotland, Chef Manager at 1 Call Direct.
Up and Coming Gluten-free Chef of the Year
- Aaron Bosdet-Kitchener from Northampton who is studying Certificate Culinary Skills Level 2 at Northampton College
- Jonathan Farmer from Norwich studying VRQ Level 2 Professional Cookery at City College Norwich
- Kathryn Holmes from Northampton who is studying Professional Chefs Diploma Level 2 VRQ at Northampton College.
The judges said: “After much consideration, the six finalists who are shortlisted demonstrated both creativity and a clear understanding of the kinds of dishes people with coeliac disease would like to choose when eating out. It’s really exciting to see such talented chefs developing great gluten-free cuisine and we are very much looking forward to seeing them showcasing their gluten-free cooking skills at the live cook off.”
Prizes
Gluten-free Chef of the Year
A week long stage at Gleneagles working under two Michelin-starred chef, Andrew Fairlie with accommodation included.
Up and Coming Gluten-free Chef of the Year
A week long stage at Michelin-starred The Pass at South Lodge with chef Matt Gillan, with accommodation included.
Additional prizes, kindly provided by Sodexo and 3663, include generous gift vouchers and knives, and all finalists will receive a year’s Membership to the Craft Guild of Chefs.
In the news
The media are already spreading the word on our finalists: