Seasoning, Searing and Shooting at Cowley Manor

Chefs from Bath and the Cotswolds showed off their shooting skills, as well as their cooking skills at the latest meeting of The Chefs’ Forum yesterday (June 4th).

Guests at the event, which was held at the beautiful Cowley Manor hotel near Cheltenham, had the chance to try their hand laser clay pigeon shooting, alongside a day of lamb butchery, expert cookery demonstrations, seasoning and grilling master classes.

The event began with a Symphoniae Prosecco, curtesy of Crown Cellars and canapé reception, with the canapés prepared by David Kelman, Executive chef at Cowley Manor, and students from Gloucester College where The Chefs’ Forum has successfully run The Chefs’ Forum Academy for the last two years. During the reception chefs also had the chance to network with top suppliers and sponsors.

David said: “Thanks to the students for all their help, and thanks also to the sponsors and all those who supplied the ingredients.”

Mark Hyde-Catton, Chef Lecturer and Chefs Forum Academy Coordinator spoke about how The Chefs’ Forum events and Academy sessions benefit the students.

He said: “I just think that The Chefs’ Forum events are great for our young people.

“It is great for them to get out and get as much experience as possible.

“David has visited us at the college to take Chefs’ Forum Academy sessions and the students really enjoyed them.

“I have an excellent relationship with David and all the Academy chefs. I think it’s really important to have a relationship with all head chefs because I am passionate about getting our young people out into industry and into the right jobs and making sure they are happy and they will stay.”

Following the reception guests were treated to a cooking demonstration by David. David cooked a canon of lamb with seasonal vegetables in a very jovial demonstration of The Butcher and The Chef. Karl Pendlebury of AHDB Beef & Lamb took the floor and told the chefs about his free meat education courses – click here.

There was then a chance to sample more of David’s brilliant cooking in a wine and food pairing to various wines by Crown Cellars.

The event finished with the chance to try Laser Clay Shooting in the stunning grounds of Cowley Manor.

Founder of The Chefs’ Forum Catherine Farinha said: “Thank you to all our sponsors who came along, including Walter Rose & Son, Santa Maria, Creed Foodservice, TTW Associates, Crown Cellars, Synergy Grill, Welbilt UK. The support of these top-quality suppliers enables our events to happen, inspiring young people and creating a valuable networking platform for top chefs from which to socialise, share knowledge and best practice.”