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BaxterStorey and Blue Apple celebrate success at ACE Ready Steady Cook
BaxterStorey and Blue Apple celebrate success at ACE Ready Steady Cook
27th September 2019

BaxterStorey and Blue Apple celebrate success at ACE Ready Steady Cook

Written by: Edward Waddell
The Association of Catering Excellence’s annual Ready Steady Cook competition has announced BaxterStorey as the overall winners and Emanuele Ciafardini from Blue Apple won the Young Star Chef Award.

The 21st ACE Ready steady Cook competition was held yesterday (26 September) at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London. There were two prizes, one for the team that created the winning menu and a separate award for a young chef who caught the judges’ eye.

BaxterStorey created a winning menu of five spiced pork fillet, soy glazed pancetta, torched courgette, pickled aubergine, shallot & ginger dressing followed by tahini and dark chocolate whipped ganache, pickled pear skins, tahini caramel.

Chefs Luke Smith and Oliver Dovey both won a dinner for two at Roux at Parliament Square. The winning duo put their success down to their good communication on the night.

Each team included a chef aged 26 or under, many of whom were apprentices. The competition aims to ‘encourage and recognise’ young chefs in the hospitality industry.

The Young Star Chef Award was won by Ciafardini who won dinner for two with pairing wines at one of Adam Handling's restaurants as well as the opportunity to work with him.

Handling, chef owner of Adam Handling Restaurant Group, commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with ACE to offer their Young Star Chef Award winner work experience in one of my kitchens.

“I’ve always made sure my kitchens showcase fresh talent - it’s vital to celebrate and support emerging chefs in this industry and to nurture their passion for what can often be quite a difficult and high-pressured career to start out in. 

“I still remember my mentors from when I started out at 16; it was their guidance that helped me really develop as a chef and get me to where I am now, so to be able to help mentor the next generation of chefs is an absolute privilege for me.”

The Competing duos from across the foodservice industry were BaxterStorey, Blue Apple, CH&Co, Gather & Gather, Genuine Dining Company, Graysons, HIT, Holroyd Howe, ISS, Lexington, Restaurant Associates and Vacherin. The runners up were Lexington and in third place were Gather & Gather.

Sue Thompson, chair of ACE, added: “This event is all about the chefs that are at the heart of our industry. It’s really important to promote the younger generation and give them confidence in the work they’re doing.

“It’s amazing that one of them will get the chance to work with Adam. It’s also a great networking opportunity with so many companies, suppliers and sponsors here.”

ACE’s chosen charity for 2019/20 is Hospitality Action who provides support to those who need it in the hospitality industry. On the night over £500 was raised for the charity through a raffle.