Chef Adam Bennett is among the 16 finalists for the Master of Culinary Arts (MCA), often considered to be the UK’s toughest culinary competition.
The awards, which launched in 1987, are organised by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and only presented once every four years.
Though hundreds of restaurant professionals have entered only a handful have made the grade. Previous winners include chefs Jeff Galvin and Andre Garrett, restaurant manager Diego Masciaga, and pastry chef Benoit Blin.
To receive the title of Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) competitors must complete a gruelling and classical advanced skills test, as well as demonstrating leadership skills and the ability to support the development of others.
Bennett will join chefs from University College Birmingham (UCB), The Ritz, Coworth Park and Restaurant Associates in the final at UCB on 23 September. There will also be separate finals for pastry chefs at The Taste Lab on 16 July and front-of-house professionals at Le Gavroche on 30 September.
The winners will be announced at a Gala Presentation Dinner on 5 October at Claridge’s in London.