{"id":22643,"date":"2020-11-26T10:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T10:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theritzlondon.com\/?p=22643"},"modified":"2025-02-13T16:37:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T16:37:49","slug":"the-ritz-london-to-reopen-for-dining","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.theritzlondon.com\/press-release\/the-ritz-london-to-reopen-for-dining\/","title":{"rendered":"UK winner of \u201cLe Taittinger\u201d International Culinary Prize announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

London, November 2020:<\/em><\/strong> UK winner of \u201cLe Taittinger\u201d International Culinary Prize announced.<\/p>\n

Deepak Mallya, Sous Chef at one Michelin star The Ritz Restaurant at The Ritz Hotel in London, has been announced as the UK winner in the 54th edition of the \u201cLe Taittinger\u201d International Culinary Prize.<\/p>\n

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President of the UK National Competition, two Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jr, comments, \u201cThe competition was more challenging than ever in this unprecedented year, and each of the UK entrants deserves to be proud of the high standards submitted across the board. These young chefs have embraced the new format of \u2018Le Taittinger\u2019 to deliver ingenious and inspired entries. I look forward to discovering Deepak\u2019s dish in Paris, where he will compete against the international culinary talent of the other national finalists worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year marked a turning point in the proceedings, with organisers placing a single product at the heart of the competition and giving candidates free rein to showcase this \u2018hero\u2019 ingredient.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s hero product is beef. The gauntlet is being thrown down for chefs to use their creativity and flair to choose a cut\u2014or cuts\u2014and design a dish that is both delicious to eat and visually spectacular. Competitors draw inspiration from all the influences of culture, country, heritage, and style of cuisine before adding their own personal touch.<\/p>\n

One fixed competition rule remains: a single candidate per country is selected for the international final to represent their own country and culture. UK competitors submitted their detailed recipe creations with photographs and the story of their inspiration, which were all judged anonymously.<\/p>\n

Deepak won \u20ac2,400 and will now go forward to represent the UK at the International Final in Paris in January 2022. Until then, the victorious chef\u2019s winning creation remains under wraps.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn view of the levels of consistency that we have come to expect and strive for, the Taittinger International Culinary Prize is an experience that cannot take place virtually,\u201d explains Vitalie Taittinger, president of the family-owned Champagne house. \u201cA moment of both rivalry and sharing between various generations of leading chefs, we wanted to pledge the same commitment to the winners of the national stages as with every other year. That\u2019s why, rather than run after the \u2018permitted windows of opportunity\u2019 and keep cancelling for the reasons that we\u2019re all aware of, we\u2019ve decided to take the necessary time, not more than a year, to ensure that the next international final can take place in the best possible conditions and to give the candidates every opportunity to showcase their talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the International Final in January 2022 in the famous kitchens of Ecole Ferrandi (French School of Gastronomy), Deepak will compete with the winners of the other national competitions. They will be joined by the President of the Prize, Emmanuel Renaut, three Michelin-star chef of the restaurant Le Flocon de Sel 5* in Meg\u00e8ve, as well as the members of the jury. The eight finalists from around the world are:<\/p>\n