The competition, spearheaded by foodservice equipment supplier RH Hall, took place within the Pleasure Gardens at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on June 18, where the finalists representing four hospitality sectors: pub and bar; hotels; golf club & outdoor/event catering; and universities, had to cook a three-course meal on a Crown Verity mcb-30 barbecue and serve it within one hour.
All the dishes had to include at least one product from the Lion range of sauces, salsas and chutneys, mustards, mayonnaise and dressings.
Crump won the university category first with his menu of king prawns with pickled lemon, coriander and garlic butter, with yogurt and mint dressing; lamb ox-spring kebab served on a toasted flatbread, crisp salad and crunchy pork popcorn, with hickory barbecue sauce and ranch dressing; and a banana, marshmallow and chocolate, brioche dessert, before taking the main title. After the final, he said that this was the kind of food he would serve at barbecues at the university.
All the finalists were presented with a Sharp LED TV, a Simply Stainless Professional chef’s table, Lion sauces and exclusive British BBQ Battle chef’s whites. Crump also received a Crown Verity mcb-36 BBQ and accessories pack, worth £3,000.
On becoming overall champion, Crump said: “It’s been a great event – well organised and with great equipment provided. I had never cooked on a barbecue like the Crown Verity before and I had to adapt my timings but that was easy; they are incredible and I couldn’t believe how quickly it reached temperature with the hood down – a real experience and I’m looking forward to cooking on my new one.”
The judging panel consisted of Ben Bartlett, BBQ champion and president of the British BBQ Association; Christopher Basten and Martin Bates from the Craft Guild of Chefs; and Bill Verity, president of Crown Verity, who selected the winner from each category before the overall champion was announced.
Bartlett commented: “The chefs are all winners for getting to this final. A very high standard of dishes were produced with great flavour profiles and good use of the Lion sauces. There was a good use of skills demonstrated and the versatility of the Crown Verity barbecues was definitely brought to the fore.”
Verity, who announced the champion, added: “There were only a few points dividing the top places. A very close competition and an exciting day.”
Ray Hall, managing director of RH Hall, which exclusively handles the Crown Verity barbecues in the UK, concluded: “It was a fantastic day of competition and congratulations to all the winners and special thanks to all the sponsors, including new partners AAK Foodservice and Calor Gas.”
2014 British BBQ Battle Challenge:
University Category
Winner: Graham Crump, University of Warwick
Runner up: Matthew Carter, Emmanuel College
Pub Category
Winner: Carol Haime, Shepherd Neame
Runner up: Dave Alebon, The Brasshouse, Birmingham (Stonegate Pubs)
Golf Club & Event Catering Category
Winner: Terry Wiggins, House of Commons (Facilities)
Runner up: Micky Daly/Stewart Jackson, Richins Park Golf Club
Hotel Category
Winner: Simon Crannage, Swinton Park Hotel
Runner up: James Jefferies, Tern Hill Hall