Bennett, head chef at the Cross in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, plans to lead the UK to victory in 2015 with the help of commis chef Josh Allen at the showdown, which takes place in Lyon, France.
Brian Turner CBE, president of Team UK, told BigHospitality: “Despite taking part in the Bocuse d’Or since its inception in 1987, we’ve yet to reach the podium which is disappointing given the amount of talent in the UK right now.”
Crowdfunding
Bennett and Team UK recently set up a crowdfunding campaign to help improve their chances in the competition, with money raised being used to finance a wide range of ingredients as well as travel and accommodation for the coach and commis.
In return for investing, members of the public will receive a variety of “perks” – including personalised ‘Thank You’ notes from the ream (£5) to a lunch for two at the Cross in Kenilworth (£200).
Turner added: “We’re putting our hopes in a crowdfunding campaign to help raise awareness and the funds required to increase our chances of success not just for this final but for competitions to come.”
Team UK hopes to have raised £25,000 by the end of the Bocuse d’Or.
Team leader
Chef Bennett won his place as leader of Team UK – for the second year in a row - earlier this month after achieving victory at a tense cook-off in Birmingham.
Bennett and contenders Frederick Forster of the Boundary and Raj Holuss of the Ritz were asked to prepare and cook three garnishes to accompany a chicken ballotine, which were presented to judges at University College Birmingham.
Team UK’s crowdfunding campaign runs until March 1 and can be found at http://igg.me/at/BocusedOrUK.