Four Aramark chefs competed in the live final to produce an ‘innovative’ menu of one street food main and two sides which showcased chicken, plant protein or fresh mackerel.
Sharma won with a menu of Brazilian-style doughnuts, stuffed with chicken and a seitan stir-fry, served alongside a chimichurri slaw.
Lawrence Shirazian, managing director Aramark Food Services UK, said: “The menu that he delivered on the day was world-class – no mean feat when you consider how tough the competition was!
“The quality delivered today by each of our chefs was nothing short of superb and a true testament to our commitment towards delivering great-tasting, on-trend food to our customers every day.
“For me, this competition is a highlight of the development programme available to our chefs. Our culinary team is brimming over with ambition, innovation and – most crucially of all – unbelievable skill.
“We are all so proud of the incredible talent coming up through our business and I want to congratulate all of our finalists on their outstanding efforts. Especially Nick, whose menu delivered something incredibly special today.”
The three other finalists were Stuart Fildes from the University of Herts, Jaroslaw Pietrzyk from JP Morgan Bank Street and Beth Reed from Northwood HQ.
The judging panel included Paul Gayler MBE, Atul Kochhar and John Walton. The live final was held at Paul Ainsworth’s Mahé Cookery School in Padstow.
Ainsworth added: “The level of commitment, skill and vision on display today was awesome. Competitions like this play a vital role in culinary arts because they continually raise the standards of culinary excellence.
“Nick’s dishes were an extraordinary piece of cooking – delicious food and perfectly executed. That’s what this business is all about.”