Winner of Major Chef’s Culinary Challenge 2022 Crowned After battling it out against hundreds of culinary students from across England, Scotland and Wales, Rishiram Chaudhary from Eastleigh College took top spot and Best in Class at this year’s Major Chef’s Culinary Challenge
F
ormally known as the Major Series, the Chef’s Culinary Challenge is one of the industry’s longest
On winning the competition, Rishiram Chaudhary commented:
standing, most prestigious young chef competitions.
“I am delighted to have won the National Final of the
Run in partnership with The Craft Guild of Chefs,
Major Chef’s Culinary Challenge. Having won my regional
the competition brings together catering students from
heat, I knew the pressure would be on when on the national
across the UK to compete. Giving students one of their
stage, so I practiced hard, creating my dish from scratch.
first opportunities to go head-to-head with their fellow
The competition has allowed me to develop my skills for
pupils, the competition allows them to showcase their skill
the future. My thanks go out to my lecturers at Eastleigh
and talent. Kick-started with regional heats in January and
College for their ongoing support and guidance.”
February at colleges in Eastleigh, Durham, Loughborough,
The Main Course Challenge was the flagship contest of
South Devon, Llandudno and Glasgow, each regional
several competitions that make up the Major Chef’s Culinary
winner and runner-up of the Major Main Course Challenge
Challenge. Students from across the UK also had an opportunity
goes through to the national final in London in March.
to compete in the Street Food Cook-Up, the Pan-Asian Vegan
Taking place at HRC 2022, the Live National Final pitted
Culinary Challenge, Wrap & Go Food Skills, Coffee Shop Cake
the regional winner and runner up against one another in
Bake, Care Afternoon Snack Food, Bakery, Restaurant Skills
the 50-minute Main Course Challenge. Each competitor was
and The Takeaway Coffee & Quick Bite rounds.
tasked with preparing, cooking and
On the longevity and continued success of the
presenting two portions of a plated
competition, Fergus Martin, Senior Development Chef at
main course dish that would be suitable
Major added:
for a fine dining, brasserie menu. Using
“Major is extremely proud to support such a prestigious
at least one Major product, judges were
student chef competition in partnership with The Craft
looking for a dish that was balanced,
Guild of Chefs. Given the challenges that our industry has
flavoursome and well presented, with
faced over the past two years, being able to celebrate the
additional points being awarded for
future talent and rising stars of our industry is needed
professional technique, skill, hygiene, timing, seasonality
more than ever. The Major Chef’s Culinary Challenge
and sustainability.
welcomes students from across the UK to compete to
Taking top spot in the national competition, Rishiram
showcase their talent and skill on a national stage. This
Chaudhary wowed the judges with his great guinea fowl
year, the competition was more closely contested than
dish, taking home the top prize of a £500 voucher, while
ever, which makes Rishiram’s achievement extra special –
his college also received a £200 voucher. Rishiram, a level
our congratulations go to him and the team at Eastleigh
3 Advanced Professional Catering student from Eastleigh
College. We look forward to watching Rishiram’s career go
College, initially entered the competition as a way of
from strength to strength in the future.”
building his own skills for his future career. In a closely
To find out more about the Major Chef’s Culinary
fought final, Rishiram took top spot, ahead of students
Challenge, to apply for a place in next year’s competition,
from Durham, Exeter, Hartlepool, Loughborough, South
or to find out more about Major stocks, sauces and gravies,
Devon and Glasgow.
please visit www.majorint.com or call +44 (0)1933 356012.
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Fastfood Professional • June and July 2022
June and July 2022 • Fastfood Professional
51