Alice Peel crowned 2016 Gourmet Dessert Chef of the Year

Following the live final at the Good Housekeeping Institute in Soho on Wednesday, 9 June, Mövenpick Ice Cream crowned Alice Peel of Sodexo as its 2016 Gourmet Dessert Chef of the Year.

The live cook-off saw four professional chefs go head to head, putting a contemporary twist on the classic ice cream sundae, but it was Alice’s creation that came out on top.

On her win, Alice Peel said: “I’m honoured to have been crowned the winner of Mövenpick Ice Cream’s Gourmet Dessert Chef of the Year competition. I worked hard to make sure the taste of Mövenpick was a real focus and thought about my presentation in-depth. I’ve always loved strawberry and lime as a dessert pairing and, combined with a little fizz, thought it’d give my sundae a lovely summery taste.”

Impressed by Peel’s well-matched flavours, the four-strong panel of judges awarded the Strawberry, Lime & Champagne Sundae as this year’s star dessert. Led by Head Judge and Compere Will Torrent, all recipes were analysed by mixologist Lee Hyde, The Caterer Products and Suppliers Editor Lisa Jenkins and last year’s Gourmet Dessert Chef winner and chef at the London Marriott Country Hall Hotel, Biju Joshwa.

To celebrate her win, Peel will showcase the winning recipe at Taste of London this summer, as well as receive VIP tickets to the festival, spending money and a two-night stay at a 4* London hotel.

Will Torrent commented: “We were really impressed by the enthusiasm and attention to detail shown by all four of this year’s finalists. For us, Alice’s Strawberry, Lime & Champagne Sundae was the clear winner, thanks to its beautifully balanced flavours and superb presentation. Alice successfully made the Mövenpick Double Cream & Meringue Ice Cream the sundae’s hero, complemented by the fruity bite of the strawberries, lime and fresh Champagne. It was a truly stunning summer sundae.”

Harriet Morley, UK & Ireland Business Development Manager of Mövenpick Ice Cream, said of the competition: “This annual competition is such a good chance for us to meet all the exceptionally talented pastry chefs out there. They readily accept our challenge and this year was no different. Each chef used Mövenpick in their own creative and innovative way, but it was Alice who we felt brought out its great taste. Well done, I look forward to tasting your delicious sundae again at Taste of London!”

For full details, visit http://www.moevenpick-icecreamcompetition.co.uk/