Six shortlisted for this year’s Gastronomes Award

The Réunion des Gastronomes has announced that six candidates have been shortlisted for this year’s Gastronomes Award.

The shortlist comprises:

• Andras Lakesi, food and drink manager at newly-opened The Principal London;
• Kieran McLoughlin, general manager at newly-opened Hide, Piccadilly London;
• Jorge Pacheco, head chef of El Inca Plebeyo in Islington;
• Jatin Parmar, Old Hall F&B manager at Rockliffe Hall, Co Durham;
• Antoine Sahyoun, F&B manager at the Victory Services Club London;
• Jaroslava Vankova, functions supervisor at St John’s College Cambridge.

There will be an interview process by which a maximum of three finalists will be selected. The finalists will be guests at one of the monthly events organised by the Gastronomes.  

All finalists will be invited to the Annual Banquet at the Savoy in November, at which the winner will be announced. The winner will receive the opportunity of four two-day placements (or stages) with expenses covered, across a raft of different industry sectors.  

They will also receive invitations to attend five Gastronome events in the year after the award, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities throughout from the membership.  In addition they will be given Associate membership of the Réunion des Gastronomes for two years.

The judging panel comprises:

• Alison Frith, managing director of Artizian Catering Services
• Hospitality consultant Theresa Maw
• Serge Pradier, general manager at the Institute of Directors and immediate past president of the Réunion
• John Cousins, the chair of the judges, director of The Food and Beverage Training Company

Wallace Vincent, president of the Réunion, said: “It is only our second year of running this award, and after the success of last year, the calibre and number of entries is clearly going from strength to strength. We are pleased at the regional spread of the entries too.

“The shortlisted candidates have been invited to meet the panel in person for individual interviews next month at the Institute of Directors. Afterwards they will enjoy a reception and lunch together with the judges and given a tour of the IoD.”

He added: “The total prize value for the winner is believed to be worth in excess of £3,000 but the mentoring and potential career enhancement presented is inestimable.”