The ‘Magnificent Seven’ cooked up a storm before Joaquin Perez Olmedo emerged as the overall winner, taking home the title of Aramark’s Chef of the Year 2015.
Joaquin, a sous chef for Aramark at a large financial institution in London, won after what he described as a “pressured but enjoyable” final against six fellow competitors in the development kitchens at Unilever Food Solutions, Aramark’s Chef of the Year event partner.
Joquin (right) said: “I’m so pleased to be Aramark’s new Chef of the Year. It’s a relief that my preparation and planning has paid off, particularly when the standard among my fellow finalists seemed so high.
“When I first came to London five years ago I was so keen to know more about English cuisine. The food and the techniques were so different from what I knew and I fell in love with it.
“Since then I’ve always wanted to show what I can do and I think this competition has really allowed me to keep learning and improving, and get the most from English cuisine.”
He cooked roast breast of guinea fowl, crispy leg, braised leeks, soubise puree, pickled carrots, and carrot & star anise dressing.
The ‘Magnificent Seven’ who made the final came from across the country and work for Aramark at locations as varied as military bases and headquarter offices.
For Richard Neish and Alex Cole it was their second time as finalists, and Kay Blackburn, David Bryant, Keri Larcom and David Mitchell completed the line-up who wowed the judges with their creations.