Steven Edwards Wins Masterchef: The Professionals 2013

We are thrilled to announce that Steven Edwards, Head Chef of Camellia restaurant at South Lodge Hotel, has been crowned MasterChef Professional Champion 2013!

Throughout all six weeks of the competition, Steven has displayed exceptional skill and flair as agreed by judges Michel Roux Jr. and Monica Galetti who commented “He’s cooked faultlessly; it was simplicity done to perfection” on his final dish presentations.

After five intense weeks of cooking, a starting line-up of 32 chefs from British kitchens had been whittled down to three. Past winners of the competition have experience huge career boosts, with last series champions Anton Piotrowski and Keri Moss now both running their own highly-acclaimed restaurants. The current series of MasterChef: The Professionals has been the best-performing to date, with an average audience of 3.5 million viewers tuning in to watch.

Last night’s winning menu consisted of a starter of Anjou piegeon breast with roasted baby beetroot, caramelised feta dice, apple compote, watercress and a beetroot vinaigrette: a main of pan-fried stone bass on a bed of tomato and parmesan orzo, with pureed poached and blackened Kohlrabi and a lime foam; and a dessert of honey cake topped with honeycomb, with poached peaches, peach compote, roast peach puree, yoghurt espuma, a pistachio crumb and thyme syrup.

The management at South Lodge set up a TV screen in one of the rooms and staff and guests all stopped for the hour and half the show was on last night and watched alongside Steven – the place errupted at the result!

Steven says, “The toughest part was cooking for the chefs, and also the critics. The conditions were also difficult as it was one of the hottest days of the year, there was a real mix of pressures, but the feeling afterwards was immense.”

Judge Michel Roux Jr stated, “Steven has done incredibly well throughout this competition; he’s expressed himself to the full. His food is lovely. He makes food that is great to eat, expertly cooked, presented with certain elegance, clean lines and it works – fault free.”

We hope you will all join us in congratulating Steven on his fantastic achievement and look forward to welcoming you to Camellia soon.

DESIGNRESTAURANTS members dine complimentary at Camellia when joined by at least one full paying guest when having lunch Monday to Saturday and dinner Sunday to Friday – a saving on average of £37!

Not a member? Join now for just £90 and enjoy complimentary dining in Camellia and other top restaurants throughout the year. Go to www.designrestaurants.com – dining that refines you.

Links

Watch the final (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03lttx3/MasterChef_The_Professionals_Series_6_Episode_24/)