Richard Dutton, Chef Lecturer at UCB鈥檚聽College of Food, has come third in the hotly-contested British Culinary Federation鈥檚 coveted Chef of the Year.
Judged by two Michelin star restaurant owner Sat Bains, Brian Turner, Roger Narbett and UCB graduate Adam Smith, Richard was up against nine of the UK鈥檚 best chefs in the final of the competition won by聽, sous chef at聽.
In a close final held at UCB, Richard was also proud to see former UCB student Edward Marsh, junior sous chef at The Manor House, Castle Coombe, take second place.
Richard鈥檚 place on the podium was made even more impressive by the fact that it was the first competition he had entered in a decade.
鈥淚 thought I had retired from competitions, but here I am,鈥� said Richard. 鈥淭he standard was very high, but on the day, I felt quietly confident I was in with a chance. I, essentially, recreated the dishes I made in the semi-final, but tweaked and refined them to bring them up to final standard. It was fantastic to make the top three.鈥澛�
Competitors had to cook three courses, a starter, main and dessert for two covers, in just two hours. Judges included聽, Dinner at Heston Blumenthal,听, Restaurant Sat Bains,听, Coworth Park,听,听,听聽and聽Martin Carabott , the current BCF Chef of the Year and聽.
Pierre Koffman, three Michelin-starred chef, said: 鈥淚 think that the standard was very high. There were one or two dishes that I would have given 20 out of 20. Overall, it was a very good competition."
Awards were presented at a dinner ceremony at UCB by Brian Turner CBE. Guests enjoyed a six course meal with matching wines, including lemon sole supplied by Channel Fisheries, sirloin of Irish beef from Aubrey Allen and Bord Bia and a selection of artisan cheeses from Fromage to Age.
The other BCF Chef of the Year 2018 finalists were聽, sous chef, Cheal鈥檚 of Henley,听, sous chef, The Frog,听, senior sous chef, Simpson鈥檚 Restaurant,听, head chef, The Kings Hotel, Chipping Campden,听, head chef, Masons Arms,听, head chef, Clare College, Cambridge, and聽, head chef, Eckington Manor.聽
Richard鈥檚 winning menu was:
Poached langoustine, Jersey Royals, courgette ribbons
Sirloin of Irish beef, potato puree, sprouting broccoli, English asparagus
Yorkshire rhubarb, custard, pistachio cake
