Scottish Chefs set for Culinary Olympics
Scottish Chefs (The Federation of Chefs Scotland) is set to take on the IKA/Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart from the 14th to 19th February 2020.
Teams from across the globe gather together for this unique competition – the oldest, largest and most diverse international culinary arts competition in the world. This year, the event expects to welcome more than 2,000 chefs.
Scotland’s culinary Olympic team heading to Stuttgart:
Captain: Orry Shand, Entier Food Services, Aberdeen
Vice-Captain: Derek Johnstone, Borthwick Castle Hotel, Edinburgh
Team members: Craig Palmer and Rory Taylor from Entier Food Services, Aberdeen; Graham Mitchell, Newmacher Inn, Aberdeenshire; Jamie Mackinnon, Seafood Ristorante, St Andrews; Shona Sutherland, Taysteful, Blairgowrie; Bronwyn Murray, Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh
Young chefs: Eilidh Smith and Terri Scott from Fife College
Kevin MacGillivray, President of Scottish Chefs, said: “It’s a huge honour to compete on the international stage at the IKA/Culinary Olympics. The event is truly one of a kind, and full of the Olympic spirit. Our national team will be proudly representing us; bringing that unique Scottish flair to the table.”
In the competition, the national teams are assigned tasks including:
- Restaurant of Nations: a three-course menu for 110 people
- Chef’s Table: seven different dishes for twelve people – from dips and cold/hot plates through to petit fours. A complete vegan course is also included.
Using individual style, the cooking tradition in their own country and the skills of the individual team members to respond to the tasks, the jury closely examine every detail. In addition to the overall creative performance, perfection, precision and an excellent taste in the food prepared, the jurors will also be assessing time management, work organisation, cleanliness in the kitchen, and the final presentation of the food.
Sixty jurors from the participating countries evaluate the performance of the teams and decide who wins gold, silver and bronze at the end of each day. At the conclusion of all four days of competition, the total number of points in all disciplines will determine who will secure the top step on the podium as the overall winner.
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I am really pleased to see Scottish chefs showing off their skills on the international stage at the IKA/Culinary Olympics. This is an excellent opportunity to promote Scottish Chefs and our excellent natural larder amongst the world’s culinary experts.
She continued: “I hope the Scotland team’s participation at events like this will inspire young people to enter the industry and consider a career in this sector. I wish the Scotland team the best of luck at this year’s IKA/Culinary Olympics.”
About The IKA/Culinary Olympics
The IKA/Culinary Olympics boasts a long history – its origins date back to the year 1900. What started as a competitive exhibition has developed into an international event now in its 25th year. The competition is being held in Stuttgart for the first time, and also concurrently with INTERGASTRA 2020, the leading trade fair for the hotel and restaurant industry. To find out more, visit www.olympiade-der-koeche.com/en and follow @IKAOlympics #IKA2020 #intergastra2020 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Scottish Chefs
Scottish Chefs (Formerly The Federation of Chefs Scotland) was formed in June 1994 and is an organisation democratically managed by Scottish chefs for chefs. It has more than 250 members and a strong national chef network with a highly respected reputation.
Its mission is to promote excellence in all areas of the industry in Scotland. It supports and develops the skills of chefs and cooks at all stages in their careers through training and commitment to culinary competitions.
Scottish Chefs is a keen ambassador for Scottish produce and works in collaboration with key food industry organisation including Quality Meat Scotland, Seafood Scotland and Scotland Food and Drink.
As such, Seafood Scotland, the national trade and marketing body for the Scottish seafood industry, has committed to a year-long partnership with Scottish Chefs in a sponsorship programme worth more than £10,000. Under the Seafood from Scotland banner, the partnership aims to promote all Scottish Seafood at home, across the UK and internationally around the world and will involve talking to hundreds of chefs about Seafood from Scotland.
Find out more about Scottish Chefs at www.scottishchefs.com and following @scottishchefs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.