The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts has announced the finalists for the 2017 Master of Culinary Arts (MCA). The awards, presented every four years and now in their thirtieth year, reward foodservice professionals in three categories.
The awards are considered the ultimate accolade, awarded in recognition of outstanding craftsmanship, for chefs, pastry chefs and restaurant managers in the UK and winners must display the mastery of skills and knowledge in culinary arts.
Winners of the MCA carry the title for life and become role models for future generations.
The finals will take place over the summer and the winners of this prestigious prize will be announced at a gala presentation dinner on 5 October at Claridge’s in London.
The full list of finalists are:
Chefs
Adam Bennett, Chef Director, The Cross at Kenilworth
Chris Hill, Premier Sous Chef, The Ritz Hotel
Adam Smith, Executive Chef, Coworth Park
Adam Thomason, Head Chef, Deloitte, Restaurant Associates
Anthony Wright, Senior Chef Lecturer, University College Birmingham
Pastry chefs
Alistair Birt, Head Pastry Chef, Harrods
Nicolas Bouhelier, Head Pastry Chef, Lainston House Hotel
Nicholas Patterson, Teaching Chef, Le Cordon Bleu
Julie Sharp, Pastry Chef Technical Adviser, Barry Callebaut UK
Ross Sneddon, Executive Pastry Chef, The Balmoral Hotel
Restaurant management and service
Lukas Andr, Restaurant Manager, Sexy Fish, Caprice Holdings
Alessandro Fasoli, General Manager, The Woodspeen Restaurant and Cookery School
Giovanni Ferlito, Head of Wine and Beverage, The Ritz London
Devid Isabella, Restaurant Manager, Wentworth Golf Club
Karim Le Cloarec, General Manager, Searcys at The Gherkin
Pierre Rizet-Mosser, Food & Beverage Manager, The Montagu Arms Hotel
Tina Nielsen
