Meet the winner of the Best Young Pub Chef 2023 sponsored by Booker/Makro

The head chef of the Cricketers in Ormskirk, Lancashire was up against two other chefs in a live cook off on Tuesday 19 September.

Finalists were provided with a plethora of ingredients to create a dish in a 45 minute cooking period.

The trio were being watched over by judges including chef-patron of the Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland in Lancashire Stosie Madi, chef-patron of the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk Dave Wall and Booker Group sales director Leigh Baker.

Digging deep​

Stosi Madi described Karl as a “joy to watch”. She said: “He hit the ground running and was digging deep into his prep within minutes.

“He was very confident about his dish and it was refreshing to hear it is something he makes at home.

“He cooked an innovative, delicious dish and was brave enough to challenge himself which is what won it for him on the day. Right to end he was taking risk and he certainly pulled it off.”

Cracking achievement​

Dave Wall echoed Stosie’s comments about Karl’s attitude towards the cook off, lauding his chicken dish.

He added: “He flew into the challenge with gusto and energy and was out of the blocks like lightening , which was a necessity to fit in the considerable amount of work he took on!

“His broth that he created stole the show, packed to the brim with flavour that brought the whole dish into harmony. A cracking achievement.”

Full list of 2023 GBPA winners:​

Great British Pub of the Year 2023 – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best City/Urban Pub – the Turks Head, Twickenham, Greater London​

Best Country/Rural Pub – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best Pub for Food – the Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor, Berkshire​

Best Pub for Dogs – the Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire​

Best Pub for Families – the Plough, Normanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire​

Best Pub for Entertainment – the Kings Arms, Bexleyheath, south east London​

Best Pub Garden – Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset​

Best Pub to Watch Sport – the Royal Dyche, Burnley, Lancashire​

Best Sustainable Pub – Stroud Brewery Taproom, Stroud, Gloucestershire​

Best Pub Chef – Charlotte Vincent, Candlelight Inn, Chard, Somerset​

Best Young Pub Chef – Karl Quirante, the Cricketers, Ormskirk, Lancashire

Community Hero – the Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester​

Admiral Pub of the Year – Boot & Shoe, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire​

Stonegate Pub of the Year – the Woodman, Ruislip, north west London​

Greene King Pub of the Year – the Stag, Lyndhurst, Hampshire​

Marston’s Pub of the Year – Rose & Crown, Worcester, Worcestershire​

Punch Pub of the Year – the Plough, Prestbury, Gloucestershire​