Raymond Blanc | Sodexo Chef of the Year

Raymond Blanc joins the judging panel for this year's Sodexo Chef of the Year final taking place at Hotelympia next month.

The chef patron of two-Michelin starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons joins ten other industry chefs including National Chef of the Year 2014 winner, Russell Bateman, L’Ecrivain proprietor, Derry Clarke and Alyn Williams of Restaurant Alyn Williams to judge the 90-minute live cook off. David Mulcahy, Sodexo culinary director, said: “I’m proud to announce our best-ever judging line up for Sodexo Chef of the Year. Many of the judges have strong links with our business and having them as judges for the live final demonstrates the commitment and emphasis we place on culinary excellence at Sodexo. “Our chef finalists have already had the chance of working with the judges at our mentor day, and the winner will have the fantastic opportunity of working with Raymond Blanc at our new partnership at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show." The winner will get to work alongside Raymond Blanc and his

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team at the new Jardin Blanc Hospitality Village and Queen Elizabeth II Suite at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, a partnership between Blanc and Sodexo. The winner and two runners up will also travel to Palma, Majorca, on a gastronomic food tour of the region’s producers, growers and fine dining venues. The ten finalists will go head-to-head at the live final held at London's Hotelympia on Tuesday, 1 March. Sodexo is partnering the Springboard Student Centre at Hotelympia. Sodexo teams will be on hand to talk to young people looking to get into the hospitality industry. Sodexo Chef of the Year judges include: Raymond Blanc OBE, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Derry Clarke, L’Ecrivain Russell Bateman, Colettes, The Grove Alyn Williams, Restaurant Alyn Williams Lewis Hamblet, South Lodge, Horsham Mark Hill, The House of Commons Ben Tish, Salt Yard Group Olivier Geyer, Leathams Dan Doherty, Duck and Waffle James Tanner, The Kentish Hare Sarah Hartnett, Chef Patissiere Vivek Singh, Cinnamon Kitchen

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