Fooditude chef cooks StrEAT dish of the year

Michael Broad from contract caterer Fooditude has been crowned the champion of the 2024 StrEATfood Awards, after his signature recipe won Dish of the Year at the live final in London.

Broad, who was competing in the annual competition for the first time, wowed a panel of industry judges with his crispy coconut fish, mango slaw and kasundi paratha (pictured above).

The dish was one of the first to be judged on the day, as 16 chefs from the UK’s leading contract catering businesses gathered in London to produce their signature street food recipes in hope of taking home the coveted crown.

“I’m elated,” says Broad. “I really love that dish. From conception to execution, it’s really fun to cook. The main idea was to produce a sustainable menu item – the paratha is from Wild Farmed flour, the sea bass is sustainable, there’s an aquafaba mayo made from unused chickpea water. I’m really proud that the dish has done this well.”

Broad (centre) collects his awards from host DJ BBQ (left) and Contract Catering Magazine's Tristan O'Hana (right)

Other awards up for grabs

Broad also won a second accolade at the STrEATfood Awards, as his Crispy Tofoo Oriental bao bun recipe was named Plant-Based Dish of the Year.

The Chef of the Year title, which goes to the chef who utilises sponsor ingredients to their greatest potential, went to a shocked Janice Edwards from BaxterStorey, who was originally trained as barista. Cooking in front of her two daughters, who were in the audience during the live final cook-off, Edwards delivered a Keralan snapper dish combining Major’s Fajita Mari Base, Barbecue Mari Base and Keralan Pan-Asian Paste, producing a showstopping plate for the StrEATfood Awards judges.

DJ BBQ, Janice Edwards and OOH Magazine's Tamsyn Halm

The 2024 StrEATfood Awards was sponsored by Britvic, Conglom, Major and Tofoo.

Entries are now open for the 2025 Contract Catering Awards and can be submitted online via the official website.

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