As CHEF^® celebrates a momentous 40 year milestone, Andrej Prokes, former Executive Sous Chef at The Ritz London and Michelin-starred, The Fat Duck in Bray and now Chef Consultant for CHEF^® by NESTLÉ PROFESSIONAL^® asks... Has there ever been a more exciting time to be a chef?

“It’s fair to say that a lot has changed in cheffing over the course of the past 40 years. From the dominance of classical cooking in the 80’s and the rise of nouvelle cuisine in the 90’s, to the foams of the early noughties and now the fashion for foraging, we have been on a huge gastronomical journey that has helped to hone and define the very essence of our Industry today.

“Over the course of my career, I’m fortunate to have been part of this incredible culinary journey.  Having worked in some of Europe’s finest restaurants, alongside some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, I’ve witnessed many new trends, and have never failed to be inspired.  When you walk into any top established kitchen, it’s not just about the food you see on the plate, but the whole story behind it – to have respect as a chef you must have a passion for the ingredients you work with, and really understand their environment and heritage.

“Right now is an incredible time to be a chef.  We are part of an exciting culinary world that is more diverse than ever before, with boundless opportunities for creativity, innovation and flair.

“For me, it’s about keeping your eyes open to new ideas – inspiration comes from many different places, be that travelling to different countries or reading about the latest culinary trends.  As chefs, we are also storytellers, responsible for taking customers on a journey through our food, and engaging their senses.  There is story behind every dish, and as chefs it’s our job to tell it – to craft the story behind every plate.

“This is what CHEF^® has always been about – giving chefs time back to create even better dishes, and enabling them to be truly creative.  One of the biggest challenges for restaurateurs today has to be the fact that kitchens are operating with far fewer chefs.  As a result, we are seeing a fundamental shift in our Industry, and bought-in products are really gaining in acceptance. It goes without saying that quality of the new generation of bought-in products is incredible.

“To celebrate this 40 year milestone, CHEF^® has teamed up with some of the world’s most dynamic, forward thinking and well regarded chefs, to release a series of exclusive 40 second videos that showcase the very best culinary innovation and craftsmanship our Industry has to offer.

“In the first of the series ‘CHEF^® presents:  40 Seconds with Régis & Jacques Marcon’, we give you a glimpse into the working lives of this acclaimed father-and-son chef team, who are famous for serving stunning, innovative dishes in their 3 Michelin starred restaurant in St-Bonnet-le-Froid, France.  They’re inspired by the wonderful natural landscape around them, serving locally-sourced, seasonal produce, expertly prepared with the skill honed by Régis over 30 years of kitchen experience and passed down to Jacques.

“It is exactly this kind of passion, determination and commitment to craftsmanship and excellence that defines our Industry today, and has inspired the evolution of the CHEF^® brand over the course of the last 40 years.  Here’s to the next 40…”

To watch ‘CHEF^® presents:  40 Seconds with Régis & Jacques Marcon’, please click here 

CHEF^® will release more videos in the ‘40 Seconds with’ series later this year.

Ensure you are registered for The Restaurant Show for the chance to meet Andrej Prokes and sample some of CHEF’s^® products.  Book your place onto the Full Theatre Dining Experience by Nestlé Professional^® and CHEF^® by emailing learn.more@uk.nestle.com and enjoy a multi-sensory 5 course meal dining experience led by Andrej himself.