Top chefs swap tips at annual conference

The Skills for Chefs and Skills for Service conferences are being run simultaneously at Sheffield University and will include presentations by a number of well-known television faces.

They include chefs Alan Murchison, Galton Blackiston and Paul Foster, from the BBC’s Great British Menu, and Sean Rankin and Kenny Atkinson from TV show Saturday Kitchen, who will give demonstrations.

Fred Sirieux, who recently appeared in Michel Roux’s Service, a BBC2 programme which aimed to teach youngsters to be top class front-of-house staff, is also due to speak.

David McKown, from the university’s accommodation and commercial services arm, said this year marked the 15th year of the chefs’ conference and the second for service staff.

He added: “The aim is for chefs to share knowledge and sharpen their business skills in a programme packed full of live demonstrations and presentations.

“They come from a diverse range of institutions, including the House of Lords, London’s Park Lane Hotel, and Sheraton Hotels.”

Delegates from both conferences are put up at the university’s student accommodation, and will dine together in what Mr McKown described as a “restaurant safari” which will take in several of the city’s restaurants.

Other delegates include truffle expert Paul Thomas, who recently secured investment for his business through TV show Dragons’ Den, and Britain’s Got Talent finalists and cocktail artists The Bar Wizards.

Mr McKown said “The combination of excellent conference facilities and an exciting, lively programme of events attracts delegates back year and year, with some having attended all 15 events.”