Competitive know-how...

No, I didn't win the competition but I did win a £250 voucher at one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants in London. That'll probably be just enough for two starters!
The competition was held at Birmingham University College. The very modern kitchen where the whole thing took place cost over a million pounds! One of the cleaners proudly said that each cooker cost thirty thousand pounds.
There were five other competitors and, unlike me, they all had competed at one time or another in the past. I felt very relaxed as I had practiced the dishes quite a few times over the last two weeks.
We were all given a finish time by which we had to produce three portions, one for the official photo and the other two for the judges to taste.

I cooked my Fish Tagine and then a dish using sustainable Pacific Cod Loin.

At 2.30pm the winning chef was revealed. The other five received the Ramsay voucher.
Later the winner said he had already won another competition with the same dish. I think he is onto a winning formula.

Would I ever enter another competition again? Not sure about myself but I might help our young chefs enter and win them now that I know what is expected.

As I travelled to Birmingham the night before the competition, I ate at the Michelin-starred Simpsons. The food and service were out of this world.




11 comments:

Caroline said...

Sounds like it was well worth going - even if you didn't come top. You can always sell your voucher on e-bay - you'll probably get over £200 for it...

Anonymous said...

Well done anyway Krimo!
Colin : )

Akelamalu said...

Oh well done you! As Dad always says it's not the winning it's the taking part, and you did win the voucher - not to be sniffed at!

Trac said...

As a Londoner....

...Just name the day when you want to take me out for dinner! :O)

(Or just a drink, presuming the prices are pretty high)

As a well known food critic and expert in cooking, I will say you should have won!
x

Krimo said...

Sell it, Caro? No way! I'll just have to head for London in the near-future.

Thanks, Colin. I think we should've sent you... You would've surely won!

True, Akela but no one remembers runners-up...;o)

You're welcome to share the starter that voucher will buy me, T.
I am filled with pride that a great gastronome like you has endorsed my cooking skills.

Trac said...

hehehehe :O)

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Congratulations Krimo, you should have won first prize, but ... pearls before swine eh? That Simpson's in Brum is a world away from Simpsons in the Strand, which used to be one of my favourite places in London, all wood panelling and Ye Roast Beef of Olde England. My dad (who was trained next door at the Savoy) knew his restaurant etiquette and always tipped the carver a quid. He also nicked a monogrammed serviette and a brandy glass one time.

Pat said...

Congrats! Not to be sniffed at.

Mary said...

I would have been a nervous wreck! Good job!

Merisi said...

Hey, mate, there's no reason to give it up yet! Nice PR trick, to give vouchers that do not cover the cost of a meal for two. Sort of fishing for customers ... ;-)

valerie walsh said...

I am so proud of you! You are amazing and I sure hope you do it again! What did the guy that won make? Have I ever mentioned how much i adore Gordon Ramsey? I think he does great things and anybody that says the f-word that much is right up there in my book. I enjoy saying it quite a bit myself...:)