Fuller’s backs Team UK in world cook-off competition

11-Oct-2019 - Last updated on 11-Oct-2019 at 15:04 GMT

Heads of the table: Paul Dickinson of Fuller’s (left) with UK Academy president Simon Rogan

Premium pub and hotel business Fuller’s hopes sponsoring Team UK in global cooking competition, Bocuse d’Or, will inspire and train staff across the Fuller’s network.

The business has today announced its partnership with the UK Academy in which Fuller’s Chefs’ Guild will gain access to a unique body of the country’s top chefs.

Fuller’s director of food Paul Dickinson said: “Fuller’s chefs going through the Fuller’s Chefs’ Guild, from apprentices to executive chefs, will have a unique opportunity to benefit from the guidance and wisdom of these industry legends.

“In turn, we can expect to meet and exceed our customers’ growing expectations for delicious, seasonal food created by highly trained and experienced chefs.”

Podium finish

The Bocuse d’Or UK Academy brings together some of the country’s leading chefs to spearhead the campaign in a bid to have a UK candidate achieve a podium finish at the biennial Bocuse d’Or competition – named after the late French chef Paul Bocuse.

The President of the UK Academy is Simon Rogan whose two Michelin-starred restaurant L’Enclume in Cumbria ranks first in the Waitrose Good Food Guide, scoring a perfect 10.

By bringing these two families together, Rogan will also become honorary president of the Fuller’s Chefs’ Guild.

Chairman of the UK Academy is restaurateur Andreas Antona of the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons in Birmingham and the Cross at Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

The academy is also supported by several high-profile ambassadors who are some of the UK’s leading chefs.

Part of a journey

Rogan said: “Everybody knows there’s a chef shortage in the UK right now and we applaud Fuller’s commitment to training chefs to bring people into the industry and raise the standards of professional cooking – the chefs of the UK Academy are excited to be a part of that journey too.

“Only through the support of the likes of Fuller’s can the UK get a candidate on the podium. We hope this partnership might even inspire a Fuller’s chef to apply for the opportunity to compete.”