Master of Culinary Arts 2017 finalists revealed

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) has announced the finalists for its 2017 Master of Culinary Arts (MCA), the UK's highest culinary honour.

The awards, inaugurated in 1987 and generally only presented every four years, celebrate those who display the mastery of the complex and specialised knowledge and skills in culinary arts.

Winners of the MCA will be announced at a gala presentation dinner on 5 October at Claridge's, London.

The award of MCA is conferred on those who have displayed mastery of the complex and specialised knowledge and skills in culinary arts which are required to be a first class chef, pastry chef, or for restaurant management and service. The holder of the MCA is able to prove advanced technical skill and professional ability; accept accountability for their decision-making; contribute to supervision and management; demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the principles of sustainability and the viability of our food sources throughout the scope of the food chain; demonstrate leadership and support the development of others; and act in the best interests of the culinary arts profession.

The finalists are:

Chefs

Adam Bennett, chef director, the Cross at Kenilworth
Chris Hill, premier sous chef, The Ritz Hotel
Adam Smith, executive chef, Coworth Park
Adam Thomason, head chef, Deloitte, Restaurant Associates
Anthony Wright, senior chef lecturer, University College Birmingham

Pastry chefs

Alistair Birt, head pastry chef, Harrods
Nicolas Bouhelier, head pastry chef, Lainston House Hotel
Nicholas Patterson, teaching chef, Le Cordon Bleu
Julie Sharp, pastry chef technical adviser, Barry Callebaut UK
Ross Sneddon, executive pastry chef, The Balmoral Hotel

Restaurant management and service

Lukas Andr, restaurant manager, Sexy Fish, Caprice Holdings
Alessandro Fasoli, general manager, The Woodspeen Restaurant and Cookery School
Giovanni Ferlito, head of wine and beverage, The Ritz London
Devid Isabella, restaurant manager, Wentworth Golf Club
Karim Le Cloarec, general manager, Searcys at The Gherkin
Pierre Rizet-Mosser, food & beverage manager, The Montagu Arms Hotel

The finals will take place on Saturday 16 July at The Taste Lab, Classic Fine Foods for pastry chefs; Saturday 23 September at University College Birmingham for chefs; and Saturday 30 September at Le Gavroche for restaurant management & service.

The MCA 2017 is sponsored by Ritter Courivaud; ACT Clean; Aubrey Allen; Berkmann Wine Cellars; Laurent-Perrier Champagne; L'Unico Cafe Musetti; Speyside Glenlivet; Wedgwood; and Winterhalter.

Master of Culinary Arts programme open for entries >>

Search begins for Master of Culinary Arts 2017 >>

RACA names Annual Awards of Excellence finalists >>

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