Meet the BCF Chef of the Year 2018 finalists: Ashley Sargent

BCF Chef of the Year 2018 finalist, Ashley Sargent is head chef at Clare College, University of Cambridge.

• Find out more about the British Culinary Federation (BCF)  
• What does it take to win National Chef of the Year?

Having started his career as a chef de partie at The Anchor Inn, Sutton Gault, Ashley soon worked his way up to the position of sous chef. From here, Ashley worked at The Milestone in Sheffield where he worked with head chef Luke French (who is currently the owner of Jóro). Here, Ashley enjoyed learning the importance of respecting produce in their natural state and not changing its natural flavours.

Further to this, Ashley then returned to The Anchor as head chef where he was able to execute his own unique culinary style described as ‘modern fine dining with his own twist’

After a period of freelancing, Ashley was offered a position as sous chef at Clare College at the University of Cambridge and was promoted to senior sous chef within six months and subsequently become head chef.

Ashley has previously entered two competitions, including Chefs Challenge as part of team TUCO where they attained second place out of 24 teams. He has also won the Potters Grand Prix chefs challenge at Hotel Olympia.

How do you feel about becoming a finalist?

I feel extremely excited to be in the final but I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to perfect my final dishes. I am competing against some fantastic chefs so I know it won’t be an easy final.

Why did you enter BCF Chef of the Year?

My old head chef and former competitor of the BCF Chef of the Year, Byron Franklin got me interested in competitions and pushed me to enter this year. It’s a great place to push yourself with opportunities to network with some amazing chefs along the way.

There will be a butchery masterclass taking place on April 9th at Aubrey Allen, where the chefs will find out what cut of meat they will be using in the final.

On April 23rd, a new BCF Chef of the Year will be crowned. We take a closer look at this year’s finalists hoping to produce winning dishes in the final at University College, Birmingham which will impress the judging panel.

By Naomi Doddridge