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On Tuesday evening at Westminster Kingsway College, the Annual Dinner of celebration, inauguration and fundraising for Disciples Escoffier took place in London.
From around the world, 24 new Disciples were welcomed and over 120 guests celebrated all forms of gastronomy on Tuesday 11th March, a gilded evening with chefs and esteemed culinary figures from all over the world coming together.
And for Liverpool-based Paul Askew it was a truly pivotal moment, as the Chef Patron of The Art School in Liverpool has just been appointed as President of Disciples Escoffier UK.
Paul became a Disciple of Escoffier in March 2023 and he now has the immense honour as the President of Disciples Escoffier UK. His new role includes to modernise the organisation with diversity, help bring the next generation of chefs to the fore in the hospitality sector and mentor and support the young chefs of the future. He will also help to raise money to pay for international competitions and international exchange programmes as part of his new role.
Paul says: “This is a wonderful honour for me to be intronised as the President of Disciples Escoffier UK. My passions in gastronomy over the 43 years of my career remain wedded to finding the next generation of culinary talent, working sustainably and seasonally and championing the great and the good of both Liverpool, the UK and the wider world’s thriving food and drink industries. Last night felt truly special to me and my family. I am humbled by this honour, and I can’t wait to get stuck into my new role. I’m especially keen to help the North level up and do more Disciples Escoffier-led activities in this region. I would like to say huge thanks to everyone at Disciples Escoffier International who have made me feel so welcome since 2023 and again now as this new chapter begins for me in 2025. As always, there is much to do.”
Paul will be representing the UK in a membership of 45 countries and over 10,000 members worldwide. Disciples Escoffier was created in 1954 and brings together gastronomes from all over the world. Special guests at last night’s event included Marc Whitley, Lionel Strub, Michel Escoffier, Guillaume Gomez, Mark Flanagan, Brian Turner, Cherish Finden, Deepak Mallya, Franck Pontais, Vincent Premel Cabic and Franciane Tartari and many more Disciples of Escoffier.
Michael Coaker, Fellow of Royal Academy of Arts and Disciples Escoffier, says; “We are looking forward to welcoming in a new era for the Disciples Escoffier UK with Paul Askew of The Art School in Liverpool taking over the reins as President. He’s renowned chef with a wealth of international culinary experience and will bring an innovative approach to classical French cuisine in Britain. It’s exciting times ahead with Paul at the helm and I for one can’t wait, this will help to bring the future talent in the hospitality sector to the forefront with initiatives like the ‘Young Talent Escoffier.’ The future is very bright.”
Lionel Strub, Disciples Escoffier UK Secretary, adds: “I couldn’t think of a better person to lead us forward – Paul’s got everything needed for the group and our new chapter. Disciples Escoffier is a huge group, a community of chefs from around the world and it all started in London over 40 years ago. Paul understands the story of Disciples Escoffier, he values the importance of training and mentoring new young chefs who will be running the globally renown kitchens of the future. Paul’s experience during his glittering career is invaluable and will help make him a great President of Disciples Escoffier UK. Being president is very much a team effort and we will all support Paul as he grows into the role as we modernise and reform. It’s a very exciting time for Disciples Escoffier and as we also welcome 24 new Disciples.”
Paul Askew is one of the UK’s most pioneering figures in hospitality. Chef Patron for the last 10 years at The Art School in Liverpool since it opened in September 2014, Paul and his team create classic and innovative fine-dining whilst working with many excellent young chefs under his tutelage. His focus remains fixed on bringing the highest standard of gastronomy to Liverpool and to showcase just how good the city can be, striving to achieve the region ever more recognition.
As part of his wider work, Paul is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and their Chairman for the North of England. Paul has cooked away from his kitchen for the G7 delegation in December 2021, recreated The Art School at The Grand National in Aintree in April 2022, 2023 and 2024, cooked for The Turner Prize December 2022 and is the patron of the Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux festival.
Chef News is sponsored by the the Kitchen Porters Club
