Culinary Olympics

Compass Group UK is heading to Stuttgart, Germany where a Compass team will represent the UK’s largest foodservice firm to compete in two competitions against the best of the best at the World Culinary Olympics. Fifteen Compass chefs, from across the business, will be showcasing their expertise and skill at the world’s most competitive and internationally acclaimed cooking competition.

Between 14-19 February, the Compass team will compete in both The Community Catering Restaurant category and The Regional Team Culinary Arts competition. Each competition has a team comprised of Captains, Team Chefs, Support Chefs and for The Regional Team Culinary Arts, a Team Artist. Included in the teams are two of Compass’ Women in Food Ambassadors – Gemma Evans-Hurley and Ana Paula Oliver – both integral to each team.

For the very first time, in this particular competition, a Compass team will compete live against 29 Community Catering Teams from across six countries in the Community Catering Restaurant category. The event takes place on the 18 February and is captained by James Larkins, Executive Chef – Chartwells Higher Education. Built on seven months of preparation, the Compass theme – Our Deepest Roots Begin with Nature is embedded into their menu boasting Salt Baked Beetroot, Roasted Celeriac and Salsify Wellington, Chalk Stream Seatrout and Suffolk Pork entrees.

The Regional Team Culinary Arts competition is captained by Barry Flemming, Executive Chef – ESS, is on 16 February, and will see Compass chefs compete alongside 52 Regional Teams from all over the world. Preparation for their Mother Nature theme has been ongoing for 18 months and celebrates food from ‘the Earth, Land & Sea.’ Team Artist, Terry Greenhouse – Levy UK, will be moulding a chocolate sculpture depicting mother nature and how we must embrace the world and everything nature provides.

Passionate Compass Team Coach – Graham Singer, Culinary Director for Compass Scotland is a seasoned competition pro, who has competed four times at the Olympics for Team Scotland and finished fourth in the world. Singer said: “To coach the Compass team for this Olympics is a real honour. Every team member is integral to the overall teams’ success, with everyone pushing themselves to the limit to showcase their talent at a world class level, for the very first time. Developing the culinary careers of our chefs is critical to our business and this competition allows us to demonstrate the creativity and innovation we have in abundance at Compass.

“This has been 18 months in the making and we are here through blood, sweat and tears to compete with the crème de la crème.”

Compass will also be supporting Team England, led by Compass Group UK & Ireland Culinary Director, Nick Vadis who has been competing at the World Culinary Olympics for 25 years, and including newly appointed Executive Head Chef at The Championships, Wimbledon – Adam Thomason. Nick has already won numerous awards throughout his career including Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at previous Culinary Olympics, as an individual and as part of the England team. In addition, Compass is proud to be sponsoring the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team, who is also competing.

The Compass Regional Team Culinary Arts

Team Captain & Pastry Chef – Barry Fleming, ESS

Team Chef – Gemma Evans–Hurley, Eurest

Team Chef – Gordon Mackenzie, ESS

Team Chef – Allen Townsend, Levy UK

Team Chef – David Auchie, ESS

Assistant – Kevin Rocks, ESS

Assistant – Stephen Ben, ESS

Assistant – Ana Paula-Oliver, Restaurant Associates

The Compass Community Catering Restaurant Team

Team Captain – James Larkins, Chartwells

Pastry Chef – Ana Paula-Oliver, Restaurant Associates