A chance to shine

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Gain the recognition you deserve in the PubChef Food Excellence Awards 2008. Read on for details... The search is now on to find the best pub chefs...

Gain the recognition you deserve in the PubChef Food Excellence Awards 2008. Read on for details...

The search is now on to find the best pub chefs in the business in the PubChef Food Excellence Awards 2008.

If you want to raise your profile in the industry, achieve the recognition you deserve for your skills and hard work and generate fantastic PR for your pub, make sure you are part of this year's prestigious competition.

The chefs' competition, now in its fourth year, involves an exciting eight-month search for the UK's top pub chefs through paper judging and cook-off finals, climaxing in an exciting awards night when the winners are unveiled.

This year there are 10 categories for finalists to enter, giving chefs the chance to shine in those menu areas about which they are particularly passionate. Categories include seafood, game, meat, bar dishes, desserts and young pub chef.

The cook-offs take place later this year at the Meat & Livestock Commission HQ, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The first round kicks off on Monday 29 October and the second on 12 November 2007.

Last year's awards were a huge success, with pub chefs from across the UK reaching the cook-off finals.

Following the cook-off finals, the 10 selected category winners will be announced at an exciting awards night at the Dorchester Hotel, in London's Park Lane.

From the category winners the highly-coveted award of Pub Chef of the Year 2008 will be decided. The Pub Chef of the Year will have the honour of having a menu devised by themselves served to awards-night guests at the Dorchester.

PubChef editor Jo Bruce says: "Benefits gained from taking part in the awards on both a personal and business level are fantastic. These awards offer pub chefs a great opportunity to gain the recognition they deserve and really raise their profile."

To enter, chefs must submit a recipe for a dish appropriate to their entered category, such as seafood, and provide background information on their pub's food business, including a current menu.

Full details are available in the entry pack (to obtain a copy ring 01293 610238). The closing date for entries is 7 September.

Rising stars: Last year's winners share their success stories

Mark Levy, Pub Chef of the Year 2007, head chef, the Russell, Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire

"This award has given me a fantastic platform for my career. With new contacts, suppliers and custom, the Russell has returned its best first-quarter figures so far. There's no such thing as a quiet week now - it's really buzzing.

"The awards ceremony was a fantastic night out - it doesn't get much better than the Dorchester. I can't think of a greater incentive to encourage budding pub chefs of the future."

Jason Howlett, joint head chef, Ring O' Bells, Thornton, near Bradford, West Yorkshire

"The greatest thing about the awards is the publicity. The pub has appeared in local and regional press - and because this is a national award, the coverage is amazing.

"The great thing about the actual competition is that you get the chance to do something different, such as trying out new recipes and ideas and meeting lots of other chefs."

James Rogers, head chef and licensee, the Grundisburgh Dog, Grundisburgh, Suffolk

"We've had the most amazing PR response from the PubChef awards - everything from newspapers to glossy magazines and radio broadcasts.

"It's fantastic stuff, and has given our trade a real boost."

Awards timetable

Closing date for entries:

7 September 2007

Cook-off finals commence:

29 October

PubChef Food Excellence Awards night at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London:

28 February 2008

Five reasons to enter..

l Participation generates fantastic business that boosts publicity for

your pub

l Reaching the finals is an

impressive addition to a chef's CV

and raises your profile in the

industry

l All finalists and guests are treated to

a great awards night at London's Dorchester Hotel

l Taking part offers fantastic opportunities for industry networking with judges and other finalists

l Recognition of your pub boosts team morale

Categories

Monday 29 October

am Young Chef

pm Global cuisine

Tuesday 30 October

am Game

pm Bar dishes

Wednesday 31 October

am Seafood

pm Pub Classics

Monday 12 November

Team

Tuesday 13 November

am Poultry

pm Desserts

Wednesday 14 November

am Meat

For an entry form visit www.pub-chef.co.uk or call Sue Selby on 01293 610238. Entry forms for the Food Pub Manager and Pub Company awards will be available in the autumn. For more info contact 01293 610487.

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