This year’s final was once again held at the Grimsby Institute’s Gallery Restaurant, with trainee chefs from all across the UK competing in teams of two to be crowned this year’s champions.
Ivanoc and Jones, both students at University College Birmingham, prepared three courses for the final including a main course of pan roasted cod over a chorizo and white bean cassoulet, served with chorizo sauce.
Jones said: “This is the time we’ve ever taken part in something like this and the Regional Heat in Norwich was the first time we’ve ever competed together. We’ve had such amazing comments from the diners and the judges and it all means a great deal to both of us. We’re ecstatic to have done so well.
“It’s always great to test and push yourself and every competitor who has taken part in this competition, whether it’s in the heats or the final, this is going to look fantastic on their CVs.”
Ivanov added: “We have worked really hard to get to this point. The dishes have come a long way and we have spent a lot of time refining them. The results have been really good and it’s amazing to win. It will take a little while to sink in.”
Judges for this year’s competition were celebrity chef, Aiden Byrne, Nikki Hawkins, foodservice and events manager for Seafish Industry Authority, Serge Nollent, product development manager for Young’s, and Franck Pontais, private chef and food consultant and one of the Grimsby Institute’s business professors.
The full list of winners at this year’s competition are as follows:
Best starter - University College Birmingham
Best intermediate - South Essex College
Best main - Grimsby Institute
1st Place - University College Birmingham - Bozhidar Ivanov & Tim Jones
2nd Place - Grimsby Institute - Bradlee Cullen & Niamh Fitzpatrick
3rd Place - Joseph Angell & Joshua Taylor
4th Place - Kendal College - Zak Sharpe & Bryn Stacey
Highly Commended
West College Scotland - Anne Manson & Paul Caldwell
Selby College - Kurtus Auty & Max Bell
Croydon College - Elliot Kerscake & Frankie Dellaway
RFDC Campus Gloscol - William Wood & Jake Lutsy
Coleg Llandrillo - Damian Farrell & Liam King