Kikkoman Masters finalists announced

Global brand leader in soy sauce has announced a shortlist of eight finalists in the highly regarded Kikkoman Masters chefs’ competition. The eight will go on to compete for the coveted title and to win a seven day working trip to Japan.

Judges including - Simon Hulstone, chef/owner at Michelin-starred restaurant The Elephant in Torquay; Brian Turner CBE; Scott Hallsworth of Kurobuta; David Mulcahy, Craft Guild of Chefs; Stefan Chomka, Restaurant Magazine and Bing-yu Lee of Kikkoman UK - gathered together this week to scrutinise entries and come up with the eight finalists.

The final eight are: Craig Bateman, Junior Sous Chef, Chertsey HQ – Compass Ben Champkin, L’Enclume Joseph Fallowfield, The Square in Porthleven John Grabecki, Head Chef, BNY Mellon Andrew Jones, Chef Patron, Chamberlains Daniel Mould, Junior Sous Chef, Trump International Aberdeen Jamie Park, Jnr Sous Chef, Adam Handling at Caxton Fred Wilson, CDP, Colettes, The Grove Hotel, Hertford

Simon Hulstone said “We received a good number of entries to the competition and the entries were all of a very high standard. The paper judging was difficult but we feel the final 8 really showed they understood the criteria of the competition with some very innovative recipes. We can’t wait to see the final dishes”.

“We were delighted with the quality of entries,” said Bing-yu Lee, Kikkoman UK Manager. “Chefs have clearly put a great deal of thought and creativity into their submissions and with inspirational use of Kikkoman Soy Sauce. Kikkoman is naturally brewed over 6 months using just 4 ingredients – soybeans, wheat, salt and water, giving it a rich and distinctive aromatic flavour. That’s why chefs love working with it.”

The final of this prestigious catering competition will take place at the Restaurant Show on Monday, October 5 from 3pm. The judges will be there to watch the finalists recreate their two course menu using Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce as an integral ingredient.

The finalists will have just 90 minutes to create their dishes using meat or fish in either course. For more information visit www.kikkoman.co.uk or follow on Twitter @KikkomanMasters