Taittinger launches 'Le Taittinger' International Culinary Prize

Taittinger has launched its international culinary prize, with UK-based chefs encouraged to enter and test their skill against their international counterparts.

The "Le Taittinger" International Culinary Prize is designed to celebrate young chefs, with those between 24 and 39 with five or more years' experience eligible to take part.

This year's UK competitors will be seeking to emulate the achievement of Charles Coulombeau (pictured), head chef of Gravetye Manor in West Sussex, who won the 53rd edition of the Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire in January 2020.

Chefs are invited to submit a signature dish celebrating a hero ingredient, which this year is beef. Their recipes will be judged by a panel headed by UK competition president Michel Roux.

The winner will go on to a cook-off against chefs from in Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Vitalie Taittinger, president at her family's eponymous Champagne house, said: "We have considered very carefully how the show can go on for the International Culinary Prize in 2020. Le Taittinger has always been about innovation, ingenuity and creativity and we want to continue do everything possible to support young chefs and allow them a space to demonstrate their master craft – even in these unprecedented times."

The winner of the international final will receive €20,000 and a medal, with the runner-up getting €5,000 and €2,500 being awarded to the chef in third place.

Each national competition winner will take home €2,400.

UK competitors must submit their recipes and photographs by 30 October.

To enter chefs must email Lynn Murray marketing director for Champagne Taittinger at UK distributor Hatch Mansfield lynnmurray@hatch.co.uk