Cornish restaurateur wins MARCHE fine dining award

The restaurant manager of The Bay Hotel in Newquay has scooped the MARCHE Fine Dining Assistant Award 2009.

Chris Le Friec picked up the accolade following a stint as catering manager at Birmingham's NEC, where he oversaw event-based VIP dining service for the likes of Alex Ferguson, the England Football Squad, Frank Bruno, Caprice, and Amy Winehouse among others.

The MARCHE awards recognise the best in hospitality and catering in the Midlands area.

Le Friec, among the other finalists was tested on his silver service skills and knowledge of fine wines and French menus and also had to sit a 20-page exam and a mock restaurant scenario in front of the judging panel.

He said: "It was a very nerve-wracking experience, but in this line of work concentration and attention to detail is everything. I live and breathe catering. It's all I've ever known and it's never really been a job – more of a lifestyle. As a teenager I worked in every department – as a housekeeper, chef, porter, and supervisor.

"I never thought I would eventually be doing catering for footballers and pop stars. As for the award, I love a challenge and obviously it's great to get something like this but I won't be doing another one in a hurry. I prefer the quiet life."

James Nettleton, who owns and manages the Bay Hotel added: "We're very proud to have someone as talented as Chris onboard and he is clearly a star of the industry. Fine dining is an art and Chris is definitely a master of it. He is making an impressive name for himself at a young age and I'm sure he has a very bright future ahead of him."

Words: Maria Bracken

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