2010: Competition Chef Award sponsored by Electrolux Professional

Winner - Richard Bowden Compass Group

Richard Bowden, senior executive chef for Eurest at Compass Group, has demonstrated real commitment to taking part in and promoting culinary competitions, and he is held in high regard by his peers and the young chefs he has encouraged and mentored.

He is considered to be at the top of his game – highlighted by him adding the gold he won at the Culinary Olympics in Germany in October 2009 to his impressive tally of awards. At these Olympics, he also helped the team to win more than 17 awards in total.

Over the last 12 years he has won 85 key awards at UK and international competitions, and these have been achieved while giving his full commitment to the roles he has held at Compass since he joined the business in 1989. Industry wide recognition includes being named in 2003 both Cost Sector Catering Magazine’s Chef of the Year and the Craft Guild’s Cost Sector Chef of the Year.

As a mentor and judge, he believes chef development is of high importance and has encouraged others to improve their craft skills through culinary competitions. These include organising four national salons for Compass; mentoring the Compass culinary team; arranged workshops; and encouraging young chefs to take part in the Craft Guild’s Graduate Award exams.

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