Hospitality Catering Training Company (HCTC) has staged the third bi-annual Future Masters competition, a major cook and serve competition open to HCTC chef and front of house apprentices who are working in British Hospitality Association members’ businesses throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Of the hundreds of applicants who participated in the first heat early in 2005, a panel of judges selected 10 chefs and 10 front of house learners, who made up the 10 finalist teams, each representing a different region of the UK.

The teams then had to cook and serve a two-course meal to VIP guests, against the clock and in front of an audience in the Salon Culinaire event at Hotelympia at London’s ExCel in February.

All 20 contestants had put in an enormous amount of their own time, as had their HCTC assessors, practising, honing and perfecting their skills in preparation for the final, and this really paid off on the day.

The first prize went to Team Midlands 1, comprising John Duffin and Craig Oldham. Both are working on their apprenticeships at Lang’s Restaurant in Loughborough.

Second prize went to Team North West, comprising Alasdair Chalmers of the De Vere Carden Park and Cassandra Sawczyn of The Elms Hotel, Morecambe, while third prize was awarded to Team North East, comprising Matthew Richardson of Brasserie 99 at Wakefield and Claire Crowther of Austin’s Bar and Bistro at Chester-le-Street.

Because of their very high standards of work, an additional, unscheduled Bronze Medal was awarded to Team Wales, comprising Jonathan Hayes of the Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff and Daniel Whittaker of the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.

The overall Gold Medal for Best Front of House was awarded to Team Midlands 1 and the overall Gold Medal for Best Kitchen was awarded to Team North West.

The following competitors all received Merit Awards:

HCTC was extremely proud that the Overall Ecolab Food Hygiene award went to Chef Roddy Jobson from Team Scotland. This means that Roddy not only beat off the competition in HCTC Future Masters 2006 for his careful preparation, but he topped all other chefs in all other classes that day, many of whom have years of experience at internationally famous establishments. Congratulations, Roddy!

The Ecolab award for HCTC Future Masters was awarded to Liam Chin who has been honing his skills through Corus Chef School, which is run in partnership with HCTC.

“This competition has really opened my eyes,” said first prize winner Craig Oldham. “Not just the 75 minutes of the actual competition, but the whole experience has taught me so much about the hospitality industry and the wealth of opportunities available to develop a brilliant career for those with the skills and application required to succeed. It’s been absolutely brilliant!”

HCTC Future Masters 2006 was supported and endorsed by Phil Hope MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Education and Skills.

For further press information please contact Johnny Johnson on: +44 (0)845 345 5414 / +44 (0)7802 713138 or e-mail: [email protected]