Aramark UK is delighted to announce that Head Chef, John Cudmore has been awarded the top prize at Aramark’s International Chefs’ Cup 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
The annual culinary competition, which recognises the exceptional gastronomic talent within Aramark from across the globe, saw 14 Aramark chefs compete for the prestigious prize through a series of cooking challenges.
The competition required teams to prepare a three-course menu for four people and the chefs were challenged to use fresh local and international ingredients for their menus.
John, who was assisted by his colleague and fellow Chef Liam Davidson, took home first place with his main dish, a pistachio and matcha crusted fillet of beef, truffle king oyster mushrooms with caramelised shallot cauliflower purée and a red wine jus. He finished on a sweet note with a Pisco berry cheesecake with charred meringue, freeze-dried Pisco raspberries and chocolate Pisco truffles.
Second place went to Chile’s Chef Oscar Huerta and assistant Chef Jocelin Cornejo, while third place was awarded to the Czech Republic’s Chef Tomáš Frištenský and assistant Chef Lukáš Sedláček.
The jury was made up of outstanding national and international chefs. Four local judges made up the technical jury, Cynthia Morales, Daniel Núñez, Claudio Olivares and Martin Maggi. On the tasting jury was previous winner and Chef Henning Hartwig from Germany and esteemed Argentinian Chef Germán Ghelfi, Chef at the Mandarin Hotel Santiago.
Before travelling to the finals in Chile, Aramark chefs competed at a local level to qualify. John Cudmore qualified for the International Chef’s Cup by impressing judges in the UK’s domestic heat with delicious meals and exceptionally high levels of culinary talent. Liam was the runner-up in the UK competition.
In total, 14 countries participated in the international leg: Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Korea, Scotland, Spain, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
The International Chef’s Cup competition is an extension of Aramark’s European Chef’s Cup, which launched in 2016 and was previously held in Berlin, London, and Barcelona.
Speaking about the competition winner Eduoardo Rojas, President of Aramark Latin America said: “We are delighted to announce John Cudmore from Aramark UK as our winner. He demonstrated an incredible understanding of flavours and culinary expertise which translated into delicious and sensational dishes. The Aramark International Chefs’ Cup celebrates the excellent standard of Aramark chefs from around the globe and as Aramark is an international company, it was fantastic to see so many professionals from all around the world coming together to speak the universal language of food. Each and every participant was of excellent calibre and all who cooked in Chile should be proud of their work.”
Following the announcement, winner of Aramark International Chefs’ Cup 2023 John Cudmore commented: “I am honoured to have won this competition. I have long been a proud member of the Aramark team, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to show my creativity through food and engage with other Aramark chefs from all around the world. It has been an inspiration and an honour to take part in this event. I would like to thank all those who have supported me in my career and to all involved in organising the Aramark 2023 International Chefs’ Cup.”
The Aramark International Chefs’ Cup will take place in Canada in 2024.
Take a look at some behind-the-scenes footage from the competition here.
