Full house of members and guests in our club rooms for our 2025 Chef of the Year awards evening.

Our ‘night of nights’, celebrating what we do at our Society, high-quality food, fine dining standard, and masterfully executed.

2024 Chef of the Year, Rob Guthrie, was assisted by former seafood Chef of the year Chilly Hargrave , Nigel Burton , Denis Redfern , Paul Thorne and the Royal Exchange kitchen brigade.

Chef of the Year Presentation

President Stephen O’Halloran welcomed us, and Bill Alexiou-Hucker was our MC, introducing our finalists, taking us through the meals that were cooked to earn the nomination for ‘Coty.’.

Our finalists were Nigel Burton, Paul Irwin, Jonathan Casson, Leigh Hall and Steve Sparkes.

The award of Chef of the Year, voted by members, went to Jonathan Casson for his dish of shredded brisket, topped with a great mash, topped with a portabella mushroom, with spinach and a silky red wine jus.

There were no nominees for Seafood Chef of the Year this year.

The Ross MacDonald trophy for the best accompaniment to the cheese course, selected by our Cheesemaster, was won by Steve Sparkes.

The finalists were presented with gourmet French cast iron skillets and our chef of the year a set of Kasumi knives.

The evening started with Champagne and canapés:

Duck Breast with Toast, Hoisin and Mandarin by Nigel Burton

Blinis with Mascarpone, Wasabi and Sardine by Paul Thorne

Black Truffle Foie Gras on Toast by Denis Redfern

Chilly Hargrave presented an entree of home made Gravlax Salmon.

Rob Guthrie’s main tonight was crusted Lamb Rack, Mash, French Beans, Hazelnuts and Vine Tomatoes.

Cheesemaster Mark Bradford selected a Quicks Cheddar. Rob accompanied the cheese with a rocket salad with a balsamic dressing and mandolin sliced pear.

Denis Redfern followed with a dessert of raspberry tart and mascarpone cream. The Wines Our cellar master Nick chose a great selection of wines from our cellar .. we are fortunate to have this opportunity to taste some great wines Appetisers/on Arrival NV Bernard Bremont Evidence Brut Champagne NV Bernard Bremont Brut Rosé Champagne Entrée 2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Bourgogne Aligoté 2018 Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet Les Champs-Gains Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru Chardonnay Interlude wine 2015 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir Main 2010 Chateau Sociando-Mallet Grand Bourgeois, Haut-Medoc Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2013 Tyrrell's Wines Vat 9 Shiraz Cheese 2010 Tenuta di Ghizzano Terre di Pisa Veneroso Sangiovese Cabernet 2009 Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre Dessert 2007 Chateau De Myrat 2me Cru, Barsac Sauternes - 375ml  A Great Night A great night was had by all, showcasing the talent of our members.