Killian Crowley to represent UK and Ireland at S.Pellegrino Young Chef

Killian Crowley of the Michelin-starred Aniar has won the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 UK and Ireland competition.

The chef de partie at the restaurant in Galway will now go on to represent the UK and Ireland at the global finals in Milan in June 2018.

The UK and Ireland's regional competition took place on 20 November at Aveqia London. A jury of Michelin-starred chefs, including Angela Hartnett of Murano, Phil Howard of Elystan Street, Alyn Williams of the Westbury, all in London, and Mickael Viljanen of the Greenhouse in Dublin, tasted and evaluated each of the semi-finalists' signature dishes on ingredients, skill, genius, beauty and message.

With his signature dish of turbot, kohlrabi and sea purslane, Killian beat nine other semi-finalists selected by the International School of Italian Cuisine (ALMA).

The other UK semi-finalists included: David Scarpato of Scarpatos Catering; Michael Tweedie of the Oak Room at Adare Manor, County Limerick; Romuald Bukaty of the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport; Lee-James Hickey of the Royal Air Force Club, London; Brandon Clemens of Kaspar’s at the Savoy, London; Francesco Di Marzio of the Greenhouse restaurant, Mayfair, London; James Cousins of Restaurant Associates; Matthew Ramsdale of the Chester Grosvenor; and Michael Turner of Bread Street Kitchen, London.

Crowley said: “I’m very happy to represent Ireland and the UK; I have spent a long time practising and sourcing all the produce. It’s not just me though, I have a great team behind me.”

The "local" competitions will continue until December, and by the end of the year 21 young chefs will be shortlisted to compete in the global final.

S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 semi-finalists announced >>

George Kataras of M Restaurants wins S.Pellegrino 2016 Young Chef title >>

S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 semi-finalists announced >>

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