Hotelympia International Salon Culinaire programme updated

Hotelympia International Salon Culinaire, the world’s premier culinary competition and one of the major attractions at Hotelympia, has updated its programme following ideas from a group of leading chefs.

A refreshed schedule will be in place from next year in response to feedback from a dedicated chef panel including new Salon Culinaire Chef Director, James Tanner. Others to have voiced their opinions are Chris Galvin, Simon Hulstone, Steve Munkley, Cyrus Todiwala and Nick Vadis, many of whom are ex-Salon competitors.

The think tank was set up to involve chefs in key decisions at every turn to ensure Salon Culinaire remains as relevant as ever. The agenda was created by a UK-wide survey aimed at chefs to give them the chance to air their feelings.

James Tanner said: “We’ve spoken to the chef fraternity and come up with a clear strategy to enhance our offering within the three core elements that make Salon so unmissable – Live Theatre, La Parade des Chefs and Salon Display.

“The new programme has been designed to make the competing experience simpler, while the proposed changes should make it even easier to enter and gain valuable feedback for future endeavours. Crucially, in 2014, we have sought to implement changes to the competition to mirror real life challenges in the kitchen.”

Improvements to the competition also include a new online entry system, a clearer judging process, use of iPads for food photography and the introduction of a feedback corner where established judges will be on hand to offer guidance to competitors.

There will now also be two award ceremonies throughout each day with one after lunchtime as well as the usual end of day slot with both staged in a brand new, dedicated area.

A full copy of the competition schedule as well as information on how to enter can be find via the Hotelympia Salon Culinaire website.