Mâche Match winner announced

French chef Nicolas Guiet, sous chef from gastronomic restaurant La Mare Aux Oiseaux in the Loire, has won the International Mâche Match 2008 competition.

The final cook-off of the challenge took place on 6 November in the Loire Valley, France, where each of the three finalists entered four rounds: rapid cuisine, healthy eating, gourmet and mystery basket.

 

Olivier de Grandmaison, President of the Loire Valley Lamb's Lettuce Commission said: "Loire Valley mâche is a product of our unique 'terroir'. 85 per cent of mâche cultivated in France is from the Nantes region and most of this is exported throughout Europe. This international competition, now in its second year, is important to highlight the many benefits of mâche and to allow up and coming UK, Spanish and French chefs to share their inspiration for this high quality ingredient."

 

Head judge Martin Bates, CEO, Craft Guild of Chefs, who was joined by fellow judges Mey Hofmann from the Hofmann culinary school and restaurant in Barcelona, and Didier Peschard, president of Loire Valley Eurotoques, said: "This year saw the introduction of a new mystery basket round to really put the finalists to the test. Despite the high pressure situation the level of creativity was excellent."

 

Guiet won the top prize of €1,500, meanwhile Nick Chapman, House of Commons in London came second, and Alberto de la Fuente Helleman, chef at 'La Botilleria del Café de Oriente' in Madrid came third.

 

The three international finalists were taken on a tour of Mâche seeding, production and packing facilities to learn more about the origins of the nutritious leaf.

 

The competition, judged by a panel of European food service leaders was held by the Loire Valley Lamb's Lettuce Association (CEAFL) in close association with the UK Craft Guild of Chefs to highlight the practicality and versatility of mâche among chefs.

Words: Maria Bracken

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