National Chef of the Year finalists announced
Eight chefs this week made it through to the final of the National Chef of the Year after four hard fought semi-final heats.
The talented line-up includes BaxterStorey executive chef Hayden Groves, Russell Bateman, head chef at Colette's restaurant at the Grove hotel in Hertfordshire and House of Commons senior chef de partie David Bush.
Each finalist will now take part in a mentor day at which their mystery basket will be unveiled, before the live final at the Restaurant Show on 8 October.
David Mulcahy, organiser of the competition and vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said the eight finalists had done extremely well to get this far.
He added: "As the date now looms to take The National Chef of the Year title, competitors now have to get their heads down in preparation for October's final.
"Ultimately, what judges will be looking for on the day is seasonality, good sourcing, and a well balanced menu. We can't wait to see what this year's finalists pull out of the bag."
The National Chef of the Year 2013 finalists are:
Andrew Wright, Restaurant 23, Leamington Spa
Joe McCafferty, head chef, Flesh and Buns in Covent Garden
David Bush, senior chef de partie, House of Commons
Russell Bateman, head chef, Colette's Restaurant
Alex Bond, sous chef, Auberge du Lac
Hayden Groves, executive chef, BaxterStorey
Lahiru Jayasekara, head chef, The Manor, Weston-on-the-Green, Bicester
Simon Webb, head chef, CH&Co
National Chef of the Year 2013 semi-finalists announced >>
Young National Chef of the Year competition opens to more entrants >>
