The Vegetarian society hosts an annual cookery contest at the Cordon Vert cookery school in Altrincham, Manchester. It is open to vegetarian and non-vegetarian professional and amateur chefs alike, the aim to create a vegetarian three course menu over three hours. Judged on taste, presentation and wow factor it is a brilliant competition set in a tough, yet altruistic and friendly atmosphere. It has most definitely been a tremendous experience for me over the last two years finishing as a runner up in 2011 and returning to fight for the prestige title again this year in 2012. I created what I felt was a winning menu and returned with energy and enthusiasm to produce some great vegetarian cuisine. It was a great pleasure competing amongst such enthusiastic chefs and I was overwhelmed to be announced the winner this tie around. Receiving the title of vegetarian chef of the future 2012 has been the most prodigious accolade of my career, meeting some great people along the way.
Winning Menu
To Begin:
Selection of modern British Tapas
Roasted sweet potato, sesame crust, tomato and chilli sauce,
x x x
Bruschetta, black olive, blush tomato and fresh basil,
x x x
Wild mushroom and truffle risotto ball, fried in Ciabatta crumb,
Main-Course:
Vegetarian Tagine
Mille fuille of fire roasted peppers and spiced aubergine,
Cous cous, garlic and coriander fritter,
Sweet potato and chilli puree, toasted almonds,
Halloumi and spinach parcel,
Apricot and sweet chilli compote,
To Finish:
Trio of desserts,
Tropical fruit maki roll, mango, lychee and strawberry, lime syrup,
x x x
Cardamom and saffron brulee, vanilla tuille biscuit,
x x x
Strawberry and elderflower jelly.
Live Photo Gallery
"It was a great pleasure competing amongst such enthusiastic chefs and to win the competition. Receiving the title of vegetarian chef of the future 2012 has been the most prodigious accolade of my career"
"Congratulations for your new title Chef of the Future 2012! Your dishes were delicious, well-conceived, and presented to the highest standard"
Alex Connell
Alex Connell, Principal Tutor, Cordon Vert, said “Congratulations to Gary Ashley, winner of Chef of the Future 2012. Gary beat off tough competition to get to the final, then on the day of the cook off he produced a magnificent three course meal. The detail and the quality of the presentation was superb. The flavours combined well and the dishes had contrast of texture. Gary demonstrated what really is possible with care, skill and attention to detail.”
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