Just days left to enter 2011 Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Chef and Young Sommelier contests

The young chef of the year contest is open to all chefs under the age of 27 who are currently working in Chaîne des Rôtisseurs' establishments across Great Britain. To enter, candidates are nominated by their Chaîne des Rôtisseurs employer. Following initial regional assessment, the "most impressive" young chefs will be invited to battle it out at the National Finals, taking place at Westminster Kingsway College, London on 17th March. The awards take place at the end of the day in the showrooms of partner Gaggenau. In just three hours, finalists will be challenged to create a three course meal using all the ingredients in a mystery 'Black Box'. The judging panel includes Paul Gayler, executive chef of the Lanesborough, Pierre Koffman, chef/patron Koffmanns at the Berkeley and Anthony Marshall executive chef at the Hilton on Park Lane. Each three course meal will be judged on presentation, originality and taste with consideration also given to general kitchen skills as well as reviewing the approach taken to food hygiene. The winner of the 2011 Rôtisseurs Young Chef of the Year title will have the honour of competing against other national winners at the International Rôtisseurs Competition, which takes place in Istanbul on 9th September. Meanwhile the other challenge is open to all sommeliers under the age of 35 currently working in Great Britain and sponsored by a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Again, candidates are nominated by their employer and following initial paper judging by regional co-ordinators, the most impressive young sommeliers will be invited to compete against each other at the National Finals, which this year take place at the showrooms of one of the partners Gaggenau in London, on 23rd March. Each finalist will be required to demonstrate an extensive all-round knowledge of wines and other alcoholic drinks and display exceptional service skills to the demanding judging panel. Chaired by Echanson Gerard Basset MW MS, the judging team includes Christelle Guibert, Tasting Director Decanter magazine, Philip Evins Bailli Délégué Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Dimitri Mesnard, MS of Jackson Family Wines, Nigel Wilkinson, MS of Boutinot Wines, and Isa Bal, head sommelier at the Fat Duck. Starting with a theory test to assess knowledge of wine production, laws and viticulture, finalists will be challenged to demonstrate composure and skills during a 'mock' service. Last but not least, finalists will be tasked with identifying key attributes of six wines, including age, alcohol content, country of origin, appellation, etc during a blind tasting. The winner of the 2011 Rôtisseurs Young Sommelier of the Year title will put their skills to the test against other national winners at the International Rôtisseurs competition, which this year takes place in takes in Athens on 16th September. For further information and for details of how to secure nomination for the chef ccompetition, contact Vic Laws culinaire@chaine.co.uk and for more information, or to secure a nomination for the Young Sommelier challenge contact Philip Evins bd@chaine.co.uk.