16th Dec 2009 - 00:00
Abstract
Workplace catering company, Catermasters, has officially recognised the skills and dedication of two of its chefs in the kitchen by crowning them as winners of the 2009 'Catermasters Chef of the Year' award.
The Leamington-based company services more than 100 contracts around the UK and a number of its chefs recently did battle in the kitchen for a shot at winning one of the company's very own prestigious awards for achievement. After an hour-long competition, at the company's recent AGM, that required each contestant to cook a soup and a signature dish to mark Catermasters' recent 20th anniversary, Steven Griffin was named the young 'Catermasters Chef of the Year', while Chris Hope scooped the senior prize. Contestants were scored on health and safety in the kitchen, the balance of their menu and the quality of their final dishes that needed to embrace fresh and local produce. Senior winner, Chris Hope, who is the chef manager at Oxford solicitors Manches LLP, said: "I hadn't entered a cooking competition before but it was really enjoyable to be given the time to pit my wits against some of the other chefs in the business – one of whom works on another contract right next door to where I work in Oxford – so there was plenty of friendly and local rivalry. "Winning an award like this is an honour because it's nice to know that Catermasters is interested in our skills and personal development as chefs and is keen to showcase our talents in a competition that is fun and enjoyable." Steven Griffin, the winner of the junior prize who works for Catermasters at its Learning Skills Council site in Coventry, only joined Catermasters 14 months ago as a kitchen porter but is currently being groomed as a chef and is set to achieve his NVQ Level 2 qualification in the coming months. Catermasters joint managing director, Richard Moody, said: "The 'Catermasters Chef of the Year' award is all about rewarding those that have a passion and flair for cooking innovative dishes for their customers and thinking creatively. "Chris is an exceptional senior chef and fully deserves his accolade but it's also pleasing to see someone like Steven developing within our kitchen environment, to the point where in nine months as a trainee chef, he is already winning awards. That is a real credit to him and I know he's going to have a bright career at Catermasters."
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