Adam Smith named Sodexo Chef of the Year 2023
Hospitality chef Adam Smith has been named Sodexo Chef of the Year 2023 following a live cook-off at Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HRC) event held at ExCel London.
On 20 March, Adam Smith a hospitality chef for Independents by Sodexo competed in the final of the annual chef of the year competition which saw eight of Sodexo’s finest chefs go head to head in a nail-biting 90 minute live cook off final.
The competition once again concentrated on sustainable eating with chefs tasked to create three dishes each with a different criteria, one vegetarian/vegan dish using two or more ingredients from Future 50 Foods; a main dish comprising British/Irish chicken suitable for a chef’s special or brasserie style and a classic fruit crumble with a twist using fresh rhubarb. The chefs we also tasked with creating their dishes with the minimal amount of food wasted.
Adam’s winning dishes were:
- Hawaij spiced cauliflower, pickled red cabbage, red lentil dahl, smoked paprika onion fritter
- Beer-glazed chicken breast, confit onion chicken ragu, smoked garlic mash, sweetcorn puree, charred hispi cabbage
- Custard tart, rhubarb compote, caramelised white chocolate crumble, rhubarb sorbet
Adam’s prize includes an all expenses trip to Venice courtesy of sponsors UNOX and an exclusive fine dining experience in London courtesy of sponsors Lockhart.
The two runner ups were Anthony Dye and Ashley Bax, both chefs in Sodexo’s Corporate Services business. Ashley was also awarded the safety award for demonstrating safe working practices.
In preparation for the event, finalists attended a mentor day where the team of judges got a first look at the finalists’ dishes and provided constructive feedback for the finalists to take away and use for the live cook off.
The day is a great chance for competitors to practice and familiarise themselves with the logistics and equipment required as well as working in a kitchen they're not used to.
The competition judges included top culinary names: Steve Scuffell; Martyn Nail; Henry Bosi; Adam Smith (Coworth Park, Ascot); Paul Gayler; Yolanda Stanley and Sarah Hartnett.
The other finalists were:
- David Barnett, Schools & Universities, Scotland
- Jessie Thomas, Corporate Services
- Ross Hamilton, Government, Scotland
- Colin Smith, Sodexo Live!
- Gordon Carberry, Corporate Services
All eight finalists received a year’s membership to the Craft Guild of Chefs in addition to a special finalists’ chef jacket and certificate.
The Sodexo Chef of the Year 2023 competition was kindly supported by UNOX, Lockhart and the Craft Guild of Chefs.