Jacky is Chef of the Year - again!
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
14/11/2008
A Fulham food lover has been named Hammersmith & Fulham’s number one chef after his mouth watering meal got the seal of approval from a panel of judges.
Jacky Lelievre, who is head chef at gastro-pub The Butcher’s Hook, on Fulham Road, fought off stiff competition from four other finalists in the Hammersmith & Fulham Chef of the Year contest, run by H&F Council and Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College.
The food-fest was held earlier this week (November 11) at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College’s TASTE restaurant at the Barons Court campus. Each competitor had just one hour to create a two-course meal - starter and main dish - to tempt the judges.
Frenchman Jacky, who previously held the post of head chef at the Anglesea Arms in Hammersmith, is a second-time champion having previously won in 2006. He said: “I’m really pleased that I won - it means a lot for the restaurant. The facilities at the college are great - they’re better than my kitchen at the restaurant!”
Jacky’s meal of salmon and haddock salad, followed by roast pheasant and pumpkin risotto won over the judges - Stephen Carter, head chef at Boodles member’s club, Sheila Fraser-Whyte division manager of hospitality & catering at Ealing Hammersmith & West London College and Robert Carruthers, who also works at the college as chef lecturer. All were very impressed with the range of flavours and styles but came to a unanimous decision about Jacky being crowned the winner.
Sheila said: “We all felt that the standard of the food was very high with very good presentation and flavours. The winning entry had a real delicacy of flavours and a great texture in the risotto. Well done to all the competitors for taking part.”
Chefs from restaurants and schools across the borough have been put through their paces over the past few months, having to endure on-the-spot inspections and cook-offs, where they proved their worth in the kitchen.
The chefs were judged on their food hygiene, presentation techniques, cooking ability and the nutritional value of their meals and, of course, the taste of the food itself.
Councillor Nicholas Botterill, deputy leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and cabinet member for environment, said: “The meals the chefs produced were amazing and the council is thrilled to be involved in such a great competition. The variety of dishes reflected the cultural mix of the borough and everyone worked so hard.”
The winning chef walked away with £1,000 in professional kitchen equipment vouchers for The Butcher’s Hook and the Chef of the Year trophy.
The other finalists were:
• Azou, King Street, Hammersmith
• Dartmouth Castle, Glenthorne Road, Hammersmith
• Latymer upper School, King Street, Hammersmith
• Newpark Montessori School and Nursery, Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush
The winning dish was:
Starter - Salmon & haddock gravadlax on fennel salad.
Main - Roast pheasant breast with pumpkin & barley risotto, savoy cabbage & apple sauce
