Recognising “culinary excellence,” Christophe Majewski, Jenny Davies and Patrick Wade outshone the other eight competing teams with their three-course meal in front of a live audience during the International Salon Culinaire.
With just 90 minutes to produce four portions of a three-course meal - including a vegan starter, venison main course and dessert designed around a twist on a British classic – the One Aldwych chefs impressed judges with their salt baked celeriac and truffle yoghurt starter; haunch of highland venison with smoked beetroot and butternut squash main, and a rhubarb and custard inspired dessert.
As well as being judged on the “deliverance of dishes,” which had to bear a resemblance to a restaurant environment, judges also looked for “exceptional knife skills, great preparation of stocks and sauces, balance of menu content, excellent leadership and direction from the head chef” and proof that they are “mindful of wastage.”
Judges praised One Aldwych for “beautifully presenting each dish,” with winner Jenny Davies commenting: “We feel amazing and absolutely overwhelmed. We had a few moments during the actual service that kept us on our toes.”
Steve Munkley, chef director of Salon Culinaire and a Craft Guild of Chefs Vice President, added: “This is the first time we’ve ever run National Team of the Year and hopefully it’s going to grow and grow.
“The nine exciting teams, they came from some of the top end of the market. They found it tough producing what they did in 90 minutes. A few of them didn’t find it as easy as expected but we are really pleased for the winners.
“They all did a super job - the judges said some of the main courses were outstanding.”
The full list of competitors and award placements is as below:
- One Aldwych Hotel - Christophe Majweski, Jenny Davies, Patrick Wade – winners – Silver Best in Class Award
- Westminster Kingsway College - Chris Basten, Jordon Powell, Joe Sullivan - Silver Award
- Wellesley Hotel - Sebastiano Cioffi, Manuele Schiavone, Erasmoe Leo - Bronze Award
- Lexington Catering - Matt Jaynes, Stuart Taff, Jordon Thomas - Bronze Award
- Elior - Tommy Yulhanson, Stefania De Luca, Jessica Gardiner - Bronze Award
- Hilton London Bankside - Arvind Yaoav, Greg Jankovies, Camilla Flyxe - Bronze Award
- Compass Group UK & Ireland - James Buckley, Stephen Robinson, Michael Seedin - Merit
- The Westbury (London) - Tom Booton, Adam Nevin, Mattia Righini - Merit
- Sodexo - Carl Windspur, Michael Mercer, Matthew Brown - Participation