Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ Young Professionals of the Year winners announced

Winner of the Young Chef of the Year award was Daniel Marshall of Imperial, Great Yarmouth, while Arnaud Bardary of The Maze in London scooped the Young Sommelier of the Year title. They competed against 11 other finalists in each category to take first place. For Marshall this involved creating three courses out of a mystery box of ingredients for four people in just three hours. His menu consisted of pan fried bream, glazed samphire and tomato, red onion and chilli salsa to start, followed by loin of lamb, red wine reduction, fondant potatoes, glazed asparagus and roasted beetroot and black pudding. Dessert was orange and thyme panna cotta, pistachio brittle, orange caramel cream and honey ice cream. In second place was Lee Warren from Chartwells at Haileybury, with Neil Bell from Turnberry in Scotland taking third place. Chairman of judges, Daniel Galmiche from the Vineyard at Stockcross, praised the "quality and creativity" of the contestants and emphasised how important it is to give young talent a competitive forum, from which they can grow and develop. Bardary competed for the Young Sommelier title against Loic Avril from The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, who came second, and Roumain Bourger from The Vineyard at Stockcross, who came third. Each entrant was judged on their theory, service and accuracy of blind tasting, with Bardary particularly impressing judges with his all round knowledge and ability. Judge Phillip Evins said: "The knowledge, creativity and professionalism of every entrant never fails to amaze and impress the judges and although we can only have one winner in each category, all the finalists should be proud of making it as far as they have." Now in its 35th year, the competition, partnered by kitchen specialists Gaggenau, aims to encourage and motivate young chefs and sommeliers currently working in Chaîne des Rôtisseurs establishments in Britain. As the 2012 winners, Marshall and Bardary will now represent Britain in the International Rôtisseurs' competition later this year.