The Vegan Society Challenge Winners
The winners of the Vegan Catering Challenge were officially announced at the West Midlands Vegan Festival in Wolverhampton on World Vegan Day, Saturday 1st November. They were:
Paul Russell a Lecturer at University College Birmingham, won first prize (a cheque for £500).
Second prize (£200) was secured by Peter Walters, Executive Chef, Keele University based at Keele Hall
Third prize (£100) Richard Craig, Competing Chef at University of Glasgow Hospitality Services.
Other finalists were John Bayley (owner of Cashew - Creative Vegetarian and Vegan Catering, in Lewes, East Sussex); Wayne Shooter (Chef at HMP Whatton near Nottingham); and Terry Woolcock(Executive Chef at Hatherley Manor Hotel).
Paul Russel,the winner said “I am delighted to be able to showcase this fascinating cuisine. Designing a vegan menu really highlights the creativity of the chef and requires considerable planning in terms of flavours, textures and nutritional value. The competition is also a great opportunity to prove to the industry that vegan food can be just as exciting and diverse as any other cuisine.”
Paul Russell’s winning vegan menu:
Soupe au Pistou with a Potato Ravioli
Crisp Fried Baby Artichokes in a Poppy Seed Coating, Served on a Pea and Roasted Red Pepper Risotto, with a Cashew Aioli
Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake with Cherries
Another favourite of the judges was Peter Walter's Grilled Portabella Mushroom Topped with a Beignet of Chilli Bean Mousse on Puy Lentil Sauce with Smoked Paprika and Baby Beets
The Competition Judges - judges of the competition were:
Chad Sarno, Executive Chef at Saf Restaurant;
Christine Tilbury, Head at the Vegetarian Society's Cordon Vert Cookery School;
Andrew Maxwell, MD of the Tante Marie School of Cookery.
