By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Stellar Line Up for Skills for Chefs Conference.
Paul Ainsworth
The 23rd Skills for Chefs Conference takes place on 29 & 30 June and after a two year break the stellar line up is now revealed.
The opening event on Wednesday 29 June is “An Audience with Paul Ainsworth” followed by dinner. David McKown , Director of the industry conference commented: “This will be a fascinating insight into Paul’s career and we will also spotlight the challenges that the industry faces in the future.”
In 1998, Ainsworth achieved his first big break when his college tutor at Southampton City College helped him to secure a job at Gary Rhodes’ Michelin-starred Rhodes in the Square in London.
After two fulfilling years, Ainsworth moved on to work with leading British Chef Gordon Ramsay at his three Michelin-starred restaurant on Royal Hospital Road. While working at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Ainsworth was part of the team that successfully achieved three stars for the revered establishment. Ainsworth won his own Michelin Star in 2013 for his restaurant “Paul Ainsworth at No6” in Padstow.
An employer of 150 team members , Ainsworth is committed to helping others to thrive within the industry. In 2018 chef launched the Paul Ainsworth Academy in partnership with Truro & Penwith College, offering hospitality students paid experience across all five of the businesses.
On Thursday 30th June , the culinary theatre will feature Hrishikesh Desai and Henrique Sá Pessoa. Hrishikesh Desai won the Roux Scholarship in 2009, at the age of 29 on his first attempt. He staged at The French Laundry, Yountville, California.
Desai is the Executive Head Chef of the Michelin Starred Gilpin Hotel and Lake House in the Lake District. Henrique is travelling from Portugal to present his culinary skills from where he holds 2 Michelin Stars for his restaurant “Alma” in Lisbon. This internationally renowned chef also operates restaurants across the world including Amsterdam and Macu in China.
Masterclasses will also be delivered at the conference by Ross Sneddon , Executive Pastry Chef at the Balmoral Hotel , Edinburgh and Chris Wheeler who is the Executive Chef at Stoke Park and Ambassador Chef for the Agriculture Horticulture Development Board.
The closing speaker at the conference is chef legend Pierre Koffmann who held 3 Michelin Stars at his restaurant La Tante Claire for fifteen years.
The Skills for Chefs Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday 30 June and the winners of UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year will be crowned that evening.
For further details on the Skills for Chefs Conference and how to book , visit www.skillsforchefs.org.uk
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