Looking Forward to 2024

Focus Group. Chefs’ Lunches. Solus Lunches. Market Challenge. Taster Days. Student Pastry Chef of the Year Competition. Employer Showcase. These are the words that sum up our big 2024 following on from the ground-breaking work we did in 2023.

Our incredibly popular regional lunches are expanding next year in so many different directions. College students continue to be a big part of our calendar with our market challenge coming to Birmingham and Taster Days happening at our Academies as well as the fourth Student Pastry Chef of the Year final at West London College in May.

We’ll be continuing our international work, too, with focus events and lunches for Aussie Beef & Lamb in the diary. However, perhaps the biggest growth area for The Chefs’ Forum are the employer showcase partnerships that we are conducting with larger groups.

Next year we are working with Brownsword Hotels across their estate with a fantastic event being held at The Bath Priory in April. We took the opportunity last week to visit Jauca and his team to plan a Chefs’ Lunch showcasing chefs from the group, including Nicholas Chappell (Slaughters Manor), Mark Potts (Buckland Manor), Paul Peters (Amberley Castle) and Jauca Catalin (The Bath Priory).

While we were there, we were treated to a fabulous festive tasting menu and we simply had to capture it all on camera to give you a taste of things to come.

What did we eat?

Tart
Tartlet of Quail Eggs – Braised Onion – Shimeji Mushrooms – Winter Truffle

Scallop
Orkney Scallop – Salt Baked Celeriac – Soy & Truffle Vinaigrette – Wiltshire Truffle – Chicken Vanilla Split Jus

Pigeon
Royal Squab Pigeon Breast – Braised Chicory – Tamarillo – Madeira Jus

Turbot
Cornish Wild Turbot – Shellfish Mousse – Squid Ink – Sea Vegetables – Razor Clams – Miso Sauce

Beef
Dry Aged Fillet of Beef – Smoked Brisket – Salsify – Lovage – Red Wine Reduction

Chocolate
Valrhona Gianduja Dark Hazelnut Chocolate – Butterscotch – Passion Fruit

Soufflé
Apple & Blackberries Soufflé – Cinnamon Ice Cream – Blackberry Sauce

Full details of next years events will be published soon. So, get your diaries out. These are the events we have planned, so far…

Monday 5th February – Dorset & Hampshire Lunch at Chewton Glen
Tuesday 12th March – Aussie Beef & Lamb Focus Day for Asian Kitchens at South & City College Birmingham
Monday 18th March – Bristol Lunch at The Bristol Beacon
Monday 22nd April – Cotswolds & Bath Lunch at The Bath Priory
Wednesday 8th May – Aussie Beef & Lamb Focus Day for Mid-range/casual dining at West London College
Tuesday 14th May – Student Pastry Chef of the Year Final at West London College
Monday 20th May – Birmingham & Midlands event – Afternoon tea and tour at World of Wedgwood
Wednesday 22nd May – Aussie Beef & Lamb Focus Day for Fine Dining at West London College
Monday 10th June – Aussie Beef & Lamb Lunch at City of Bristol College
Monday 17th June – Aussie Beef & Lamb Lunch at Temper (London)
Monday 16th September – Kent & Sussex Lunch at The Cave Hotel
Monday 4th November – Cornwall Lunch at Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa
Monday 11th November – Devon Lunch at Courtyard by Marriott Exeter