BaxterStorey celebrate success at 27th ‘ACE Ready Steady Cook’ winners!

Now in its 27^th year, the Association of Catering Excellence’s Ready Steady Cook competition was held on Wednesday 24th September at OKN1, 40 Hoxton Street, London N1.

The overall winners were Megan Jenkins and Chris Jarman from BaxterStorey with a winning menu of:

Apple Cider Savarin, Roasted Vanilla Pod, Crème Fraiche, Cream Apple Compote, Sake

Caramelised Plums, Masse Seeds, Shiso, Timar, Pepper and Sansho Sherbert

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Calabrian Chilli and Lemon Guinea Fowl, Ginger and Ponzu Bone Broth, Beetroot and Spice Puree, Pickled Apple, Cavolo Nero, Coconut Fried Thigh, Coriander Oil

Their prize is dinner for two for each of the chefs at a choice of restaurants.

The judges were Sarah Hartnett and Hayden Groves.

Chair of ACE, Laurent Lucas-Dufour said: “Fantastic efforts for all the teams, so pleased to see the incredible support from our industry for this special event. Special thanks to Sarah and Hayden for their judging skills, it was not an easy decision.”

Competing from across the foodservice industry were BaxterStorey, Bennett Hay, BM Caterers, Company of Cooks, Genuine Dining Co., Houston and Hawkes, Lexington, Restaurant Associates, Searcys, TNS Catering and Vacherin.

Bennett Hay was in second place, and Lexington were third.

The style of cooking this year took a completely new angle to modernise the competition and keep it up to date with the current food scene in the UK.

The first dish had to be a dessert using ingredients from 4 degrees C and Belazu, plus larder ingredients supplied by Vegetarian Express.

The second mystery basket dish had to feature guinea fowl from Gressingham Foods. 

Every chef in the competition was given an apron from Vissi, and a goody bag from prize sponsor, The Evolve Group.

ACE’s chosen charity for 2025/2026 is Only a Pavement Away. Over £1,300 raised by the raffle will be donated to them.

Leftover food ingredients will be distributed by the venue OKN1 to a local Food bank that helps feed local people, so nothing went to waste.  

Please click the link below to see the photos from the event.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCvSNn