Simon Hulstone, Chef Proprietor of The Elephant Restaurant in Torquay, was last night crowned the nation’s top chef at a gala awards ceremony, following a nail-biting live final held earlier in the day.

Simon scooped the coveted title KNORR National Chef of the Year to join a host of revered chefs in the competition’s hall of fame, including Gordon Ramsay, David Everitt Matthias, Mark Sargeant and the outgoing 2006 titleholder, Eyck Zimmer.

Clark Crawley, Sous Chef, Barclays Wealth, London and David Kennedy, Chef Proprietor, Blackdoor Restaurant, Newcastle achieved second and third place respectively.

The biennial KNORR National Chef of the Year competition, run by the UK’s leading chef association the Craft Guild of Chefs in partnership with long-standing sponsor KNORR, is the most highly respected culinary challenge in the industry today. The live cook-off, contested at the Restaurant Show, saw Simon fight off intense competition from seven of his peers* to produce the winning four-course meal** from a selection of mystery basket ingredients revealed only the night before.

Throughout the final, competitors were judged on technical skill, creativity, use and interpretation of ingredients, flavour and texture combinations and presentation style. The esteemed 2008 judging panel included such culinary luminaries as Marco Pierre White, Angela Hartnett, Atul Kochhar, Claire Clark and John Campbell.

Simon’s inspired and ambitious menu impressed the judges and audience alike. David Mulcahy, Vice President Craft Guild of Chefs, commented: “We have experienced a phenomenal day with each and every one of the eight finalists giving it their all in this, the climax of the KNORR National Chef of the Year 2008 competition. However, there can only be one winner and the judges’ decision was unanimous. Simon delivered an outstanding menu under the pressurised spotlight only competition conditions bring, and our heartfelt congratulations go out to him on his tremendous victory.”

Simon Marshall, Managing Director Unilever Foodsolutions, added: “Once again we mark the result of another fantastic competition – the skill, talent and passion that we have witnessed throughout the semi-finals and today’s grand final has been truly awe inspiring. I am delighted to congratulate Simon on his well-deserved win on behalf of KNORR and Unilever Foodsolutions.”

Simon was handed the main prize of £10,000. He was also awarded a trip to the stunning region of Pordenone, Italy – home of equipment sponsor Electrolux. Pommery contributed the second prize, a trip for two to Pommery’s vineyards and cellars in Reims with private champagne tasting tutorials. Barry Callebaut donated the third prize - a study trip to the chocolate shops of Belgium with a course of their choice at Barry Callebaut’s Belgian Chocolate Academy in Wieze. Each of the finalists received a magnum of Pommery champagne, commemorative china from Royal Doulton and an engraved All Clad pan.

ENDS

*The eight finalists:

• David Kennedy - Chef Proprietor, Black Door Restaurant, Newcastle
• Steve Allen - Head Chef, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, London
• Frederick Forster - Head Chef, Le Boudin Blanc, London
• Clark Crawley - Sous Chef, Barclays Wealth, London
• Simon Hulstone - Chef Proprietor,The Elephant Restaurant,Torquay
• Ian Boden - Head Chef, Limes Restaurant, Derby
• Andreas Wingert - Senior Sous Chef, Lucknam Park Hotel, Wiltshire
• Brian Canale - Head Chef, Heritage Portfolio, Edinburgh

Starter – Low temperature egg with toffee pea cream and black pudding croquette

Fish Course – Steamed grey mullet with crab and chilli mousse, mussels and citrus butter sauce

Main Course – Loin of rabbit with savoy cabbage and parsnip puree

Dessert – Date pudding with salted butter caramel ice cream

For further information, images, copies of the finalists’ menus, contents of the mystery basket or to arrange an interview with the winner, please contact:

Claire Felstead / Daniela Boskovic
William Murray Communications
Tel: 0208 256 1360
Email: claire@williammurray.co.uk
Email: daniela@williammurray.co.uk