Nominations open for Chaine's Young Chef and Young Sommelier Awards 2021
Nominations are now open for the Chaine de Rotisseurs GB Young Professionals Awards 2021, open to all employees under 27 years of age from the Chaine's member establishments across the country.
Winners will go on to represent Great Britain in the world finals, which will be held this year in France, alongside the 2020 winners, chef Ellie Shaw of the Clink (pictured) and sommelier Paul Robineau of 110 de Taillevent in London. At the last world finals in 2019, Great Britain's Young Sommelier of the Year Matteo Montone took home the gold award.
This year's sommelier national finals will take place on 1 June at the London Edition hotel in Berners Street, where Montone is wine director. Competitors, chosen from their paper entries, will be tested on their theory knowledge, blind tasting ability and service skills. One candidate will also win the Gerard Basset Tasting Trophy, in memory of the late sommelier who was a mentor, judge and supporter of the awards.
Meanwhile, the young chef national finals will take place 10-11 June in the Unilever kitchens in Leatherhead, Surrey, in front of a panel of chef judges headed by Daniel Galmiche.
Competitors will be required to demonstrate their cooking abilities by creating and executing a three-course menu for four in four hours from a box of unseen ingredients. Marks will be given for taste, presentation and originality. The winner will receive the opportunity for training and stages, ready for the world finals, while the highest scoring competitor under 26 will become the Chaine's representative in the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year contest later in 2021.
The top three candidates from both national finals will be invited to a Young Professionals Awards dinner, taking place at the Royal Lancaster London hotel on 25 June, when the overall winners will be announced.
Philip Evins, Bailli Délégué for the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB, said: "Although hospitality has been decimated over the past 12 months, it is so important to continue to encourage the young people entering the profession. So we are delighted to be able to stage these awards once again, thanks to the generous support of our donors – Bidfood, Zwiesel and Nyetimber.
"And we are also pleased that last year's title winners will have the chance to compete at the World Finals in France in September, together with the 2021 title holders. All representing Great Britain."
The closing date for entries is 27 April. Those interested in competing should contact bd@chaine.co.uk.
