May 2018

Chef lecturer Richard prepares for Chef of the Year finals

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Richard Dutton, Chef Lecturer at UCB’s College of Food, has been selected for the final round of the British Culinary Federation (BCF) Chef of the Year award. He will be joined by fellow chefs from some of the most highly regarded restaurants in the country, including the Ritz, the Frog and ex-UCB student and MasterChef star Leo Kattou of Simpsons restaurant in Birmingham.

The competition’s gruelling finale will be judged by the BCF’s biggest and best, including two Michelin star restaurant owner Sat Bains, Brian Turner, Roger Narbett and UCB graduate Adam Smith.

“I’m so proud to be representing the University at this competition,” said Richard, who in the next round will be challenged to cook a three-course meal in just two hours.

“I have never done anything like this before and going against so many amazing chefs is intimidating. It’s a completely new experience for me. I’m excited to get stuck in!”

Finals will be held at UCB on Monday 23 April. There, all competitors must cook a main course featuring Irish beef, and tweaked versions of their starter and sweet courses from the previous round.

Sponsored by Aubrey Allen, the competition final will also feature a separate butchery masterclass on the proper, sustainable preparation of a hindquarter of beef.

Not only will the final winner be crowned the BCF’s Chef of the Year 2018, they will also land a place on the England National Culinary Team, who will compete at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg later this year.

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