International Salon Culinaire returned to ExCeL London alongside Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) on 20-22 March to showcase top culinary talents and delicious dishes across over 100 live and static competitions. 

Here are the Best in Class chefs: 

Alaska Seafood Masters Heat 1, Sponsored by the Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute

• Simran Kurasinski, Rosewood London

Alsop and Walker Cheese Starter, Sponsored by Alsop & Wallker

• Samantha Taylor-Clarke, Exeter College

NHS 4 Nations Chef Challenge, Sponsored by UNOX, Organised by the HCA

• James Dougan, NHS Scotland GG&C
• Alan Dougan, NHS Scotland GG&C

Lumina Lamb Challenge, Sponsored by  Lumina

• Ashok Kumar Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar

Sodexo Chef of the Year 2023

• Adam Smith, Independents by Sodexo

Major Chefs Culinary Challenge, Sponsored by Major International 

• Ethan Keogh, New College Durham

K2 Show or Presentation Platter

• Chris Mcleod, ESS

Tea Pastries, Sponsored by the Association of Pastry Chefs

• Graeme Dickinson

Starter Plates

• Simon Merton Chartwells

Student Hand Raised Pies

• Raby Diallo

Student Dessert Plates, Sponsored by The Association of Pastry Chefs

• Rosie Junak

Plated Dessert, Sponsored by Henley Bridge Ingredients

• Rocio Lartigue, Rosewood London

Perfect Pasta

• Rhianna Hogben, The Coach, Marlow / Milton
• Keynes College

The Country Range Student Chef Team Challenge, Sponsored by Country Range
and in association with The Craft Guild of Chefs

• Marta Sagan, Westminster Kingsway
• George Oakes, Westminster Kingsway
• Jack Georgiou, Westminster Kingsway

Tilda Chef Team of the Year, sponsored by Tilda in Association with The Craft Guild of Chefs

• Kevin Moffat, Intercontinental Hotel Group
• Denzil Monteiro, Intercontinental Hotel Group

Junior Lamb - Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks

• Callum O'Grady, House of Commons

Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef Team of the Year - Sponsored by Waitrose & Partners

• Nick Bailey, Linklaters (Lexington)
• Rowan Brooks, Linklaters (Lexington)

Main Course Plates

• Chris McCloud, Compass Group

3 Course Vegetarian or Plant Based Menu

• Ricky Owens, Craft Guild of Chefs

Dessert Plates - Sponsored by The Association of Pastry Chefs

• Barry Flemming, ESS

Junior Starter Plates - Sponsored by Worshipful Company of Cooks

• Rachel Michie

Student Bread Rolls & Loaf - Sponsored by Worshipful Company of Cooks

• Asta Juskauskieno, Sodexo

Lecturers Training Challenge

• Livia Alexander Ayrshire College

The Mystery Basked Grand Prix 

• Nathan Clark ESS
• Izabela Ginter ESS

Association of Pastry Chefs Dessert of the Year 2023 - Sponsored by the Association
of Pastry Chefs and in association with Barry Cacao and Ponthier

• Sam Cheung, The Dorchester

Alaska Seafood Masters HEAT 2 - Sponsored by the Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute

• Dougal MacPherson, ESS

Pub Chef of the Year 2023 - Sponsored by Essential Cuisine

• Daniel Jones, JT Abergwaun Hotel

Junior Tea Pastries - Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks

• Hoi Yan-Tam Sofitel London St James

Junior Petits Fours - Sponsored by Worshipful Company of Cook

• Rachel Michie

Restaurant Fish Course - Sponsored by M&J Seafood

• David Bryant, Eurest 14/40

Junior Wedding or Celebration Cake

• Bina Tennakoon, International Academy of Sugarcrafting

Junior Novelty Cake 

• Erica May-Narag, Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Junior Floral Sugarcraft (sugar flowers)

• Ioana-Maria Bura, International Academy of Sugarcrafting

Junior Decorated Cupcakes

• Nathan Gould, Hertford Regional College

Table Centre Piece

• Steven Lodge, Steve Lodge

Sugarcraft Showpiece 

• Shashi Hareendra Wengappuli-Arachchi, Chef WARM

A Small Decorative Exhibit

• Kelly Jane, D’licious Magazine

Miniature Exhibit

• Shaki Perera, ShakiCake Academy

Decorated Celebration Cake

• Shakila Perera, Shakicake Academy

Wedding Cake 

• Nina Evans-Williams, Nina's Cake Cabin

Sculpted Novelty Cake

• Anna Taylor-Dillon, Dillon's Cakes

Decorated Cup Cakes

• Diana Warner, Brooklands College

Plant or Arrangement

• Shaki Perera, Shakicakeacademy

Floral Sugarcraft on a Hat 

• Debbie Lock, Little Barn Cakes

Decorated Birthday Cake (Students)

• Eun Joo-Seo, Brooklands College
   

Find out more about International Salon Culinaire here.