Alfresco Demos for Cotswolds Chefs by Richard Davies at Calcot Manor

The stunning Calcot Manor, Tetbury was the venue for the summer Bath & Cotswolds Chefs’ Forum event.  Fifty top chefs from The Cotswolds and Bath Chefs’ Forum enjoyed a day of Alfresco cookery demonstrations by Executive Chef and event host Richard Davies.

The Chefs’ Forum’s Headline Sponsor Bath Audi showcased the R8 and the A7 in a stunning car display outside The Barn event venue.

The Chefs’ Forum stages quarterly events at various venues in the area and enables chefs to forge links with their peers, young chefs and aspiring front of house professionals from City of Bath College and Gloucestershire College.  The students are off for the summer, so this event was more about hard-working chefs having a day out of the kitchen to catch up with friends old and new which is really important for them in all aspects of their professional lives.

Richard Davies Executive Chef at Calcot Manor said:

“I really enjoyed catching up with everybody today, it was brilliant that so many chefs from the region came to support the event today.  There’s nothing better that adding a social element to what we do, especially at this busy time of year.  Not only was today about showcasing our new outdoor kitchen, but also to gather the local chefs together to compare notes on their perception of the industry, network and seek solutions for any professional requirements they may have.”

Richard has just had a new alfresco kitchen installed at The (newly-refurbished) Barn, a purpose-built event space at the manor.

Richard incorporated a fantastic South African braai from Living Outside and Gozney oven in his outdoor cooking area which has roved very popular in wedding and event catering.

Richard created a superb feast of macaroni cheese, Walter Rose pulled pork, pizza and BBQ chicken on the terrace for the chefs to enjoy.

Richard Davies headed-up the Bath & Cotswolds chapter of The Chefs’ Forum since its launch at The Manor House Hotel in 2014.  Richard has taught in The Chefs’ Forum Academy at Gloucestershire College and will continue to do so in the coming academic year.

Venue visits to Calcot Manor are also planned for the front of house Academy students.

A butchery demonstration opened by fourth-generation butcher went down a storm with the visiting chefs, Jack Cook broke down a fabulous back end of a Hereford Cross and showcased a fantastic tomahawk steak which was then cooked on the Synergy Grill by demo chef Claire Mansfield.  Claire presented the energy-saving, cost and flavour benefits of the Synergy Grill.

Jack Cook from award-winning Walter Rose has supplied Richard Davies for the last eleven years in all kitchens he has worked in; The Manor House Hotel, Celtic Manor and now at Calcot Manor where he is Executive Chef today.

Catherine Farinha, Founder of The Chefs’ Forum commented:

“The Chefs’ Forum introduces top-level cookery, catering brands and cutting-edge equipment Synergy Grill, Adande and Convotherm are all aspirational catering brands and a goal to work towards for chef looking to update their kitchens with best equipment available.  They can meet the suppliers in a relaxed and informal setting at our 32 events across the south of the UK each year.

Calcot Manor Sous Chef Mikey Bain was presented with a set of chefs’ knives by veteran BAOR Masterchef Patrick Read.  Chef Read is 83 years old and wanted to pass his knives onto a young chef who would use them and Mikey was delighted to be presented with them.

A food and wine pairing was staged in a brilliant collaboration by Creed Foodservice and Crown Cellars – This went down very well indeed with the industry guests.

The day finished with a chocolate tasting by Wickedly Welsh Chocolates where Director Mark Owen showcased his range of handmade, award-winning Welsh chocolates.

The Chefs’ Forum aims to enhance the skill sets of top chefs in industry through updating them with the latest techniques being used by their peers and showcasing the best catering equipment.

The Chefs’ Forum is looking forward to staging its next Cotswolds & Bath event at Ston Easton Park on the 5th November.  Any chefs wishing to attend should contact rebecca@redcherry.uk.com

Photography credit: www.fayditphotography.com