Culinary award for chef Dennis

Culinary award for chef Dennis

5 November 2014

KILLINCHY chef Dennis McCarroll is the best in the business.

The executive head chef at Almac in Craigavon has won the prestigious Chef of the Year competition for an unprecedented third time in a row.

He won his most recent title at the All-Ireland Sodexo Salon Culinaire held in Dublin, the culinary competition run by the foodservices company for its 2,000 staff based in 200 locations throughout Ireland.

For the Chef of the Year competition, Dennis and the other contestants had to prepare, cook and present a three course meal against the clock. 

The Killinchy chef’s starter was fillet of sea bass with a chorizo and white bean stew and lobster bisque, followed by a roast loin of lamb with a crisp lamb cutlet savoy, minted pea, pumpkin puree, garlic and herb potato. His dessert was a cider apple cheesecake with salted caramel ice-cream.

“I’m stunned and delighted to have won again,” said Dennis. “I really enjoy the extra buzz of competitions and I am very much looking forward to the UK and Ireland finals next year.

“The finals are very tough, but like every high level competitive event, previous experience definitely gives you an edge and I’ll be using this to my best advantage possible.”

The judges said the Killinchy chef’s menu was clearly thought out, balanced and well practised, with flavour, texture, technical ability, innovation and presentation on delivery, all perfectly executed.

Dennis received the highest score from each judge on the day and will now go forward to the UK and Ireland Chef of the Year competition in February.