Richard Davies Hosted The Launch of The Cotswolds & Bath Chefs’ Forum at The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe
Michelin-starred chef Richard Davies and The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe played host to The Chefs’ Forum Cotswolds & Bath on Monday 19th August. Richard has been appointed a Chefs’ Forum Committee Member lead the regional chapter along with Sam Moody of The Bath Priory and Bridget Halford of City of Bath College.
Bridget Halford, Head of Hospitality at City of Bath College said:
“It’s vital that colleges and industry work together and The Chefs’ Forum is key to helping this happen. The Chefs’ Forum is great in getting everyone talking”.
At the event, Founder Catherine Farinha spoke of the crucial work The Chefs’ Forum does on a South West Regional level and now in the South East. The aim of The Chefs’ Forum to support young chefs and work with catering colleges to bolster professional development in the industry. Catherine stated:
“The Chefs Forum opens up the communication channels between the catering industry, catering education providers and trade suppliers. Our organisation acts as a conduit for all three elements to interact seamlessly for the greater good of the industry”.
Chef Richard Davies led VRQ students from City of Bath and City of Bristol College in preparing and serving a stunning Michelin standard barbecue. This gave young chefs and front-of-house professionals a fantastic opportunity to contribute towards creating a top-drawer dining experience to a very tough audience of industry professionals.
Richard commented:
“I was delighted to have been asked to host The Chefs’ Forum event here at The Manor House Hotel. There is nothing better than to inspire and enthuse young people entering into the Hospitality industry. The students, although still in training displayed an impressive level of expertise and professionalism which is a real testament to the standards of teaching in local catering colleges – This is a great sign for the industry”.
The main ethos of The Chefs’ Forum is to display the best upcoming talent that the colleges have to offer which results in hospitality students winning stages and apprenticeships with the most prolific and highly-accredited professional chefs.
The finest locally-sourced ingredients are showcased at Chefs’ Forum events to encourage top chefs to source locally where possible and in doing so, boosting the local economy and shining the spotlight on local producers.
Michelin-starred Chef Sam Moody of The Bath Priory added:
“It’s great working with local colleges. We’ve had some fantastic students from The City of Bath College come and join the team, both in the kitchen and in the restaurant. I love cooking with them. It’s a different kind of teaching and it really pushes me into thinking about the way I explain tasks. It’s wonderful to be asked to host The Chefs’ Forum Autumn Lunch again this October and I cannot wait to get cooking with some of the Southwest’s best chefs. Judging by last year, this year’s will be another fantastic Chefs’ Forum event.”
Other top chefs involved in the Chefs’ Forum on a local level include 2 Michelin-starred Chef David Everitt-Matthias of Le Champignon Sauvage and TV Chef Martin Blunos who previously held the same accolade for fourteen years!
Martin Blunos stated:
“The Chefs’ Forum brings some of the top chefs in the South West together to celebrate the very best in regional cuisine and culinary expertise. I have been part of The Chefs Forum for nearly two years now and have attended a number of highly successful regional events – I very much enjoy judging college competitions and working with young people in the industry”
With such fantastic chefs involved on a local level, there is no doubt that local catering students and the next generation of hospitality professionals in Bath and The Cotswolds are truly learning from the best.
