The head chef of the Cricketers in Ormskirk, Lancashire was up against two other chefs in a live cook off on Tuesday 19 September.
Finalists were provided with a plethora of ingredients to create a dish in a 45 minute cooking period.
The trio were being watched over by judges including chef-patron of the Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland in Lancashire Stosie Madi, chef-patron of the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk Dave Wall and Booker Group sales director Leigh Baker.
Digging deep
Stosi Madi described Karl as a “joy to watch”. She said: “He hit the ground running and was digging deep into his prep within minutes.
“He was very confident about his dish and it was refreshing to hear it is something he makes at home.
“He cooked an innovative, delicious dish and was brave enough to challenge himself which is what won it for him on the day. Right to end he was taking risk and he certainly pulled it off.”
Cracking achievement
Dave Wall echoed Stosie’s comments about Karl’s attitude towards the cook off, lauding his chicken dish.
He added: “He flew into the challenge with gusto and energy and was out of the blocks like lightening , which was a necessity to fit in the considerable amount of work he took on!
“His broth that he created stole the show, packed to the brim with flavour that brought the whole dish into harmony. A cracking achievement.”
Full list of 2023 GBPA winners:
Great British Pub of the Year 2023 – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire
Best City/Urban Pub – the Turks Head, Twickenham, Greater London
Best Country/Rural Pub – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire
Best Pub for Food – the Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor, Berkshire
Best Pub for Dogs – the Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire
Best Pub for Families – the Plough, Normanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire
Best Pub for Entertainment – the Kings Arms, Bexleyheath, south east London
Best Pub Garden – Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset
Best Pub to Watch Sport – the Royal Dyche, Burnley, Lancashire
Best Sustainable Pub – Stroud Brewery Taproom, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Best Pub Chef – Charlotte Vincent, Candlelight Inn, Chard, Somerset
Best Young Pub Chef – Karl Quirante, the Cricketers, Ormskirk, Lancashire
Community Hero – the Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester
Admiral Pub of the Year – Boot & Shoe, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Stonegate Pub of the Year – the Woodman, Ruislip, north west London
Greene King Pub of the Year – the Stag, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Marston’s Pub of the Year – Rose & Crown, Worcester, Worcestershire
Punch Pub of the Year – the Plough, Prestbury, Gloucestershire
