Simon Crockford wins National Chef of Wales 2017
Simon, a chef from the Celtic Manor Resort and a member of the Culinary Team Wales, beat off stiff competition to be awarded the title of National Chef of Wales 2017.
The chef who is from Tenby, will also represent Wales in the UK National Chef of the Year contest and the World Chefs’ Global Chef European semi-final in October.
Simon said: “The final was a lot tougher than what I thought it would be. I work in probably the biggest resort in Europe, but that was the hardest three hours I have ever done and I honestly didn’t think I would be holding the trophy.
“I have been competing with the Culinary Team Wales for four years, have won the Battle of the Dragon and been to two Culinary Olympics, but I still have a hunger to win and this award is unbelievable. It’s a reward for a lot of hard work.”
Simon held off strong competition from five other contestants on the final of day of the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) which was held at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos on Sea on Thursday, February 23.
Simon’s winning menu consisted of scorched mackerel and cured Swansea Bay sauce, rice, pickled beetroot, apple, salted cucumber, horseradish salad cream and sea herbs. The main course was Pembrokeshire free range chicken, sage, onion spelt, red cabbage puree, mushroom espuma, Halen Mon salted herb faggot, charred sweetcorn and chicken jus. Dessert was Carmarthenshire Nomnom chocolate mousse, peanut butter, shortbread caramel ganache, banana parfait and chocolate soil.
In addition to the title, Simon also wins an all-expenses paid, one-week trip to the Netherlands courtesy of Koppertcress, which includes an ‘inspirational day’ with a cress coach and visits to top restaurants, a set of knives courtesy of Dick Knives, £250 worth of products from Churchill China and Gourmet Classic shopping vouchers.
The WICC are organised by the CAW and main sponsor is Food and Drink Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s department representing the food and drink industry. Other sponsors of the WICC include Meat Promotion Wales/Hybu Cig Cymru, Castell Howell, Harlech Foods, Nuttals, Churchill, MCS Tech, Rollergrill, Koppertcress and Dick Knives.
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