Champagne Taittinger is celebrating the 51 years of their renowned Taittinger Prix Culinaire International this year. Michel Roux Jr will head up the panel of twelve top chefs from leading Michelin Star restaurants as Presidential Judge for the UK for the third year running. Judges that have already signed up include Pascal Aussignac from Club Gascon; M Restaurants’ Mike Reid and Michael Wignall from Gidleigh Park.
The competition which is the longest running in Europe and often referred to as the ‘Everest of Gastronomy’ is now open to chefs between the ages of 24 and 39, with over five years of experience. Seven countries will host national finals; the one in the UK will take place at Roux at Parliament Square on 23rd September 2017. Competitors will be invited to submit a recipe of classic cuisine on a set theme chosen by the organising committee – this year, it will be based on a roast stuffed rack of farmhouse pork. Ingredients are chosen from a supplied list and dishes prepared on the day. They will also prepare a second dish based on a theme provided by Michel Roux Jr one week before the competition.
The winner of the UK competition will be chosen by the panel of judges and announced by Michel Roux Jr and Champagne Taittinger’s Marketing Director Vitalie Taittinger at a reception following the cook off. All UK finalists will receive a Jeroboam of Champagne Taittinger and the UK winner will receive £2,000, a trophy and a place in the International Final which will be held in Paris on 20th November 2017. Both the UK Final and the International Final will be filmed by French TV ‘TF1’. The winner of the International Final will receive €10,000; the runner up €4,800 and the 3rd place contestant, €2,500. All will win a trophy to acknowledge their success. Last year’s UK winner was Rajkumar Holuss, 1st Sous Chef at The Waterside Inn, Bray.
Vitalie Taittinger, Marketing Director at Champagne Taittinger comments, ‘Champagne Taittinger has always been committed to the promotion of young, upcoming chefs. They are the future of highly skilled culinary talent and this competition is for them. Now in its 51st year it is the oldest culinary competition of its kind. It is tough, but showcases the best. I am delighted to have Michel Roux Jr as UK Presidential judge again this year, himself one of the finest chefs in the UK.’
Champagne Taittinger and entry forms for the competition are available through sole UK agent Hatch Mansfield, tel. 01344 871 800 or info@hatch.co.uk.
www.taittinger.com / @TaittingerUK
http://prixculinaire.taittinger.fr
“