Peacock Room chef’s cuisine reigns supreme

Photo: Colin Meredith

Executive Chef Rob Walker with Peacock Room Chef Jonathan Whittaker winner of Deckers Chef’s Cuisine Supreme

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Peacock Room Chef Jonathan Whittaker was declared the winner of the Deckers Hospitality Group’s chef competition last week.

Jonathan, 21, became the youngest winner of the title and in doing so won himself an IPad Mini.

The announcement was made at a celebratory dinner held in the Peacock Room where sponsors, and guests were treated to some of the standout dishes from the contest this year.

Trio of Salmon
Rillettes of salmon, confit salmon and salmon tartare with pickled cucumber, horseradish and a tarragon and parsley crème fraiche
John Careswell – The Conservatory Restaurant

Pan Fried Duck Breast
With pumpkin and chive puree, hash brown, roast carrots and swede, celeriac crisps and a port jus
Jonathan Whittaker – The Peacock Room

This event allows Deckers chefs to step out of their usual busy kitchens into the intense arena of competition cooking. Tested on their ingredient knowledge, technical ability, and ability to create restaurant standard dishes from mystery ingredients, the standard this year was exceptional.

Executive Chef Rob Walker said: “I’m proud to say we had a record number of entries this year. It’s great to see the creativity and level of ability we as a group have within our kitchen teams.

“I can’t thank our sponsors and the Deckers Board of Directors enough. We couldn’t give our chefs this opportunity without them.

“It was a very close final, with Stephen Taylor, John Careswell and Kris Starr, the other very worthy finalists.”

Deckers Managing Director Max Brierley said: “I’m very pleased for Jonathan, he is a very worthy winner.

“Jonathan joined us on a two week work experience placement from Hopwood Hall College and never left.

“He finished his qualification whilst working for us part time, and then accepted a full time position in the Peacock Room kitchen.

“This competition saw the closest final we have ever had with only 3 points separating the top 3 places.

“We believe Jonathan has a very bright future ahead of him, and this victory would seem to demonstrate that.”