News
ESS chefs joined the Compass Group UK & Ireland team which achieved outstanding success at this year’s International Salon Culinaire competition, securing an array of awards. Held during Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the prestigious event is a highlight of the three-day Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) show at ExCeL London.
Talented chefs from across the business took part in the event, testing their skills and creativity in a competition environment, set across 120 live and static challenges over three days.
With a total of 63 awards, Compass chefs achieved eight Best in Class awards, five Gold, 15 Silver, 23 Bronze and 12 certificates of merit.
Best in Class honours were achieved by:
Simon Barton:
Gold and Best in Class – Alaskan Seafood Masters
Simon Coulter:
Gold and Best in Class – Main Course Restaurant Plates
Nicola Harper-Bennet:
Silver and Best in Class – Plant Based Live Class
Phoebe Lawson:
Gold and Best in Class – Main Course Plates (Junior Section)
Silver and Best in Class – Dessert Plates (Junior Section)
Roselle Wu:
Silver and Best in Class – Egg Fusion
A standout from the show was 18-year-old Phoebe Lawson, Commis Chef, at ESS Energy, who won ‘best in show’ for her restaurant plate. She also won gold and best in class for her main course plates, two silvers, a best in class for her dessert plates and bronze for afternoon tea.
This has been a really great opportunity to compete, learn and develop my skills. I loved taking part and it was a brilliant environment attending the competition with everyone. I am really proud to come home with these medals and look forward to continuing to learn from other chefs within ESS and Compass.
This is a phenomenal result for Phoebe and for our culinary team. We’re always incredibly proud to see people develop and to see them helping others on their journey, and this is a real showcase of both development and wider support. I’m constantly inspired by the team’s dedication, skillset and passion for their craft, and competitions like this are a great opportunity for it to be recognised.
