Launched at January’s Hospitality Show, the company will be recruiting kitchens to represent and do battle in eight regions across the UK - London, the South Eat, the South West, the Midlands, the North East, the North West, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
Nigel Crane, managing director for Essential Cuisine, said: “Camaraderie, skill, commitment and a tireless work ethic; these are just some of the qualities that make good brigades great, and we want to uncover the best. It doesn’t matter which sector you work in, tell us why your kitchen should be considered and you could be chosen to represent your region.”
Entrants should visit www.bestbrigades.com/enter and leave their details about them and their team, before entries close on April 20th. From there, entries will be judged on a number of key criteria by a judging panel including, chef patron of Liverpool’s Hope Street Hotel, Paul Askew and executive chef at London’s Park Lane Sheraton, Andrew Bennett MBE, before eight regional finalists are chosen.
Finalists will then be required to create a simple 30-60 second video that perfectly sums up their kitchen philosophy. The videos will go to a public vote on Essential Cuisine’s Facebook page with the triumphant team scooping £1000 in cash plus an exclusive menu development masterclass. Runners-up in each region will receive £300 towards a team night on the tiles.
Crane added: “For the video round, we want these kitchen teams to capture the spirit that keeps them ticking. Let’s be under no illusion, we’re not looking for the next Spielberg, more the characters, camaraderie and the cooking skill. Regional pride is at stake, I urge kitchens with serious chemistry and the will to win to get involved, stand up and be counted.”
Essential Cuisine, established in 1995, produces stock ingredients, jus, gravies, glaces and demi-glaces.