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Stockpot Magazine November December 2015
16th November 2015

November - December 2015: Welcome

Written by: Admin
Welcome to the latest issue of Stockpot. It’s been a busy couple of months for the Craft Guild of Chefs with a cracking start to October in the form of National Chef Of The Year 2016.

With a plethora of Michelin-starred chefs peering over their shoulders of the eight worthy finalists, the pressure was certainly on. The winner, Larry Jayasekara, had previously appeared in the finals; he turned out to be cool and calm under that pressure and this time it was his turn to be named National Chef of the Year.

Prior to this it was the turn of the up-and-coming stars of the catering world in the hotly contested Young National Chef of the Year. Again being scrutinised by past senior winners and leading industry chefs, it was a demonstration of just how far these youngsters could push themselves to show as much innovation and technique in their dishes as possible. Both senior and junior competitions attract the very best competitors and the Craft Guild of Chefs is very proud to have the commitment and support of all its sponsors.

Just a few weeks ago was our Golden Anniversary Dining Through The Decades banquet which was held in the aptly named Underglobe, situated as it is under Shakespeare’s theatre and turning out to be a real find in the unusual venues category. Personal thanks to Alan and the team at H20 for making this stunning event come to life. Attending the evening was our Royal Patron, HRH the Countess of Wessex, who joined in the various games with gusto but sadly missed out on a prize in pass the parcel.

Thanks also to executive chef David Johnson and his banqueting chef Brett Golding for allowing the Craft Guild culinary team to invade their already cramped kitchen space to produce the five-course menu which included the popular Babysham sorbet.

Coming up on 6 December is our last official function of the year, the Christmas lunch. Ever popular, with a visit from Santa and good food lovingly prepared by elves under the direction of Steve Scuffell, it would be a shame to miss out.

I hope to see you there!

Christopher Basten
National Chairman

Read November - December issue of Stockpot magazine