Going for gold

As Team GB celebrates its Olympic medal haul, former pub chef Mat Shropshall is going for gold at this year's 22nd IKA Culinary Olympics.Mat has...

As Team GB celebrates its Olympic medal haul, former pub chef Mat Shropshall is going for gold at this year's 22nd IKA Culinary Olympics.

Mat has signed up to the Craft Guild of Chefs' Culinary Academy team in its attempt to win gold at this year's 22nd IKA Culinary Olympics. He will compete in the 'cold work' category at the four-day competition in Germany from October 19-22. Held every four years, the contest attracts chefs from around the world.

Mat, who captained the British BBQ Team to glory at the 2007 world championships, formerly ran the award-winning Royal Oak pub in the Midlands, and is now a development chef for NPD Direct. He holds more than 110 awards and received world master chef status in 2007.

Mat said: "I relish the chance to compete in top-level competitions and you don't get a better opportunity to pit your skills and nerves against talent from across the world than at the Culinary Olympics. I really look forward to working with the rest of the Culinary Academy team and showing what British chefs can do."

The Craft Guild's Culinary Academy supports chefs in the world of culinary competitions.

  • The Guild is also a trade partner in The Publican Food & Drink Awards 2008. For more information, visit www.thepublicanfda.com