1st July 2010
Winner - Sat Bains Restaurant Sat Bains
Born in Derby, Sat Bains has stayed true to his roots and rather than taking the road to London he and his wife Amanda became chef owners in 2002 of Nottingham's only Michelin starred restaurant. Proud of his Midlands background, he champions local produce and artisan suppliers and ensured that East Midlands is on the gastronomic map having appeared at both Identita Golose in Milan and The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in 2009, speaking and demonstrating his dishes.
Early in his career he was part of the team that helped open the first of Raymond Blanc's brasseries, Le Petit Blanc. A spell at L'Escargot in London followed, as well as a stint as head chef back in Nottingham. A former Roux scholar, who has honed his craft skills throughout Europe and the UK, he is recognised worldwide for his innovative style of cooking, and has gone that extra mile in his quest for more knowledge. In 2008 he was invited by the Japanese Culinary Academy in Tokyo to represent UK at a umami workshop to exchange views about the "fifth taste". He was also invited to take part in the BBC's Great British Menu competition to find the most creative dishes for a gala dinner in Paris hosted by the British Ambassador, and he beat his rivals to win the honour of presenting his dish. Last September the AA awarded his restaurant five rosettes – the only restaurant in the 2009/2010 awards to receive this accolade. His restaurant has been recognised as the fourth best in the UK, while his peers consisting of the most important chefs in the country voted Bains the Chef's Chef of the Year.
Early in his career he was part of the team that helped open the first of Raymond Blanc's brasseries, Le Petit Blanc. A spell at L'Escargot in London followed, as well as a stint as head chef back in Nottingham. A former Roux scholar, who has honed his craft skills throughout Europe and the UK, he is recognised worldwide for his innovative style of cooking, and has gone that extra mile in his quest for more knowledge. In 2008 he was invited by the Japanese Culinary Academy in Tokyo to represent UK at a umami workshop to exchange views about the "fifth taste". He was also invited to take part in the BBC's Great British Menu competition to find the most creative dishes for a gala dinner in Paris hosted by the British Ambassador, and he beat his rivals to win the honour of presenting his dish. Last September the AA awarded his restaurant five rosettes – the only restaurant in the 2009/2010 awards to receive this accolade. His restaurant has been recognised as the fourth best in the UK, while his peers consisting of the most important chefs in the country voted Bains the Chef's Chef of the Year.