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News
Daniel Moon scoops top prize at von Essen’s first ‘Chef of the Year’ competition
Posted on 09/07/2008
 The first von Essen hotel’s ‘Chef of the Year’ competition was held in the newly opened Purple Carrot restaurant at Lewtrenchard Manor on Monday, 22nd June, 2008. Daniel Moon (left), head chef at Homewood Park near Bath, scooped first prize.
James Parkinson, von Essen’s executive chef said ''the conception of this new competition is to reward the exceptional level of culinary expertise and creativity within the von Essen restaurants. The restaurants within von Essens' growing hotel collection rank among the finest in the UK and we hope that this competition will drive all of our chefs to further improve their culinary excellence by striving to win this prestigious competition.”
Daniel Moon from Homewood Park comments “I am absolutely delighted and very proud to have won this award – I have worked hard to become head chef at Homewood Park and receiving this award has given me even more determination to help the hotel win our third rosette and ultimately a Michelin star.”
The young chefs were subject to the scrupulous watch of judges; Kevin Viner (judge on the salon circuit), Colin Bailey (chief operating office, von Essen hotels), Sarah Parkinson (AA), Daniel Wilson, (PSL), Jason Hornbuckle (chef patron, Lewtrenchard Manor). The judging panel assessed the contestants on technical ability, knife skills, attention to detail, cleanliness, good work practices, taste, presentation, flavour and combinations.
All entries were to a very high standard and the winners were as follows:
1st Place – Daniel Moon, Homewood Park
2nd Place – David Hammond, Ston Easton Park
3rd Place – David Kelman, Lower Slaughter Manor
The two runners up were:
Minna Bunce – New Park Manor
Colyn Payne – Congham Hall
Prizes for this competition were generously donated by Laurent Perrier, Villeroy & Boch, Alliance National, von Essen hotels:
1st Prize – Two nights in the Champagne region of France for two people courtesy of Laurent Perrier
2nd Prize – One night dinner, bed and breakfast for two at any von Essen hotel, excluding Chateau de Bagnols
3rd Prize – Lunch for two at any von Essen hotel, excluding Chateau de Bagnols
All the above winners also received a Winners Plate, 2nd Prize and 3rd Prize Plates, set of Global knives, Thomas Kellar Cookbook, chef’s jacket and bottle of Champagne.
The two runners up received a runner up plate, chef’s knife, cookery book, champagne and chef’s jacket.
Daniel’s winning menu:
1ST PRIZE – DANIEL MOON, HOMEWOOD PARK
Chef’s Duo of Farmed Rabbit
with Butternut Squash Purée, Pancetta Risotto
and Rabbit Jus
***
Dark Chocolate Mousse
with a Vanilla and Strawberry Compôte
and Strawberry Jelly
Daniel has also recently launched Chef’s Corner on Homewood Park Hotel’s web site. Here you can find Dan’s latest recipes, food and wine matching tips, ask Dan any food relating questions you might have via e-mail and also find out a little bit more about Dan himself. http://www.homewoodpark.co.uk/chefs_corner.asp
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