A TALENTED local chef has reached the semi-finals of the National Chef of the Year competition.
Jethro Lawrence, development chef at apetito, impressed the lead judge and Michelin-starred chef, Kenny Atkinson, after creating a stunning three course menu. Jethro is one of 40 chefs still in the running to take the most sought-after title in the British culinary scene.
Jethro said, “I’m truly delighted to reach the semi-finals of this competition and represent my region, I very much enjoy the competitive side of cooking, having taken part in MasterChef the professionals and other regional competitions in my career, this is a next level up.
“I have the best support from my wife (who is also a chef) and my work colleagues. I will use my 20 years’ cooking experience and skills picked up working for chefs like Simon Rogan, to reach the final 10.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the competition and the judges are looking for the next person to follow in the footsteps of recent champions Thomas Swaby, Nick Smith and Steve Groves. National Chef of the Year was first run in 1972 and winners in the last 50 years have also included Gordon Ramsay, Simon Hulstone and Alyn Williams.
Now in a bid to take one of the top ten spots, Jethro must create a short video, to present an amuse bouche style signature dish that reflects his own favourite style of cooking or cuisine. The videos should explain what the dish is, why it is important to the chef and how it links to the theme.
Chefs will also answer some questions posed by chair of judges, Kenny Atkinson, who wants to know more about their original entry and what winning would mean to them. Once all the entries have been received, a new panel of judges will whittle them down to ten finalists to compete in the cook-off at Le Cordon Bleu in September.
The winner will not only receive the most sought-after chef title in the UK, but they will take home a host of impressive prizes including culinary experiences, equipment and trips of a lifetime.
