The Alchemist to host its own chef competition

The Alchemist is to host its first ever annual chef competition to celebrate its kitchen teams and progress within the food side of the bar business.

The event, which is sponsored by Lamb & Weston and Bidfood, will be held on 2 February, with Pub & Bar's deputy editor Genna Ash-Brown joining the esteemed judging panel.

As well as challenging chefs to create a dish inspired by an Alchemist cocktail, additional rounds will include fastest omelette, most impressive knife skills and a chilli eating competition.

Despite a challenging year, the business has continued to build on a kitchen apprenticeship programme to craft the ‘Alchemist Chef’ which launched in 2018. The apprenticeship is aimed at budding chefs aged 16 and upwards to fast-track them through the kitchen to achieve a City & Guilds qualification. Since its launch, the programme has successfully trained 25 apprentices.

After the difficult few years the industry has faced, particularly with recruitment levels of chefs, The Alchemist is looking forward to the recruitment opportunities that the annual competition will bring.

“This year is one that everyone can finally look onwards and upwards," says Seamus O’Donnell, culinary director of the group. "This is the perfect time for The Alchemist to celebrate the talent within the kitchens and bring our chefs together nationwide across all levels, including our fantastic apprentices.

“We are always looking at creative ways to attract and retain talent in the business. We are lucky to work with fantastic suppliers who not only have supported us over the last few years but continue to support with some incredible prizes.”

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