Cudmore wins Aramark’s Chef of the Year comp

Head chef John Cudmore was recently announced as the winner of Aramark UK’s Chef of the Year 2023. The annual competition saw seven of the caterer’s chefs vie for the prestigious prize through a series of cooking challenges.

The final took place across two days in late February with the independently chosen national competitors being invited to create a two-course meal. Cudmore impressed the judging panel with his main course of beetroot sea trout brandade with sweet pepper chilli coulis. It was followed by caramelised rum pineapple, kiwi lime caviar and marshmallow sabayon for dessert.

Second place was awarded to Liam Davidson who is chef manager at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Both will travel to Chile to represent Aramark UK at the Aramark International Chefs Cup in April.

Paul Bloxham, culinary director of Aramark UK, said: “The Aramark Chef of the Year competition celebrates much more than fantastic food – it demonstrates the amazing capabilities of our colleagues. I want to congratulate John and Liam and all the other finalists on their amazing creations.”

Cudmore added: “I am honoured to have been awarded the title Aramark UK Chef of the Year 2023. As a chef, I am always looking for opportunities to be creative and I would like to thank the team at Aramark UK and Paul Bloxham for coordinating such an amazing event.

“Congratulations to all involved in this wonderful day of food showmanship. I'm looking forward to the next step of the competition!”

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