22nd June 2008
Stephen Ashburn from Rudding Park, Harrogate won the Banqueting Chef Award at this year's annual Craft Guild of Chefs' Awards held on the 16th June.
Stephen Ashburn has been head chef of the conferencing and banqueting kitchen at Rudding Park Hotel & Golf Resort in Harrogate for the last four years, where he is responsible for a team of 17.
Not only has he demonstrated his dedication to creating the highest quality banqueting food, with his motto being 'there's no reason a function of 800 should be of any different quality to a meal for four', he has also increased profit by maintaining a tight 21% food cost for the past three years.
Described by his colleagues as "the epitome of a true banqueting chef" he has been praised for being a marvellous motivator, and has also helped mentor several members of his team to success in national competitions.
Nominees in this category were:
Stephen Ashburn
Rudding Park, Harrogate
Nigel Boschetti
Royal Lancaster Hotel,
London
Steve Golding
Sodexo Prestige
Not only has he demonstrated his dedication to creating the highest quality banqueting food, with his motto being 'there's no reason a function of 800 should be of any different quality to a meal for four', he has also increased profit by maintaining a tight 21% food cost for the past three years.
Described by his colleagues as "the epitome of a true banqueting chef" he has been praised for being a marvellous motivator, and has also helped mentor several members of his team to success in national competitions.
Nominees in this category were:
Stephen Ashburn
Rudding Park, Harrogate
Nigel Boschetti
Royal Lancaster Hotel,
London
Steve Golding
Sodexo Prestige