Food Competition 2005
Cross Foxes - Heats
www.crossfoxes-erbistock.co.uk
The Cross Foxes chefs developed four outstanding, very original courses. The Cherry Bakewell sponge was simple and perfectly executed making it the highest scoring dish in the whole competition. The homemade Pigeon pasty was very impressive and would be great on the menu.
Starter:
Rarebit-topped Overton black pudding served on a Welsh oatcake with beetroot relish
Poor description, but the dish was a winner, an original idea with great flavour.
Light Bite:
Pigeon pasty with a spiced plum chutney
A little bland to look at, but all tasted superb. Liked the bonus of the roast parsnips.
Main:
12oz glazed pork chop served with cider-braised lentils, smoked bacon and rhubarb
A delicious and interesting, well-presented dish. The lentils needed a little more cooking to allow them to soften and merge in with the overall flavour of the dish.
Pudding:
Cherry Bakewell sponge pudding with custard
Good style - light and delicious. A winning dish.
Prepared by:
James O'Brien, Andy Clark
The Challenge
Every pub must enter a starter, light bite, main course and pudding. The dishes need to be prepared, cooked and put together in the morning before judging at lunchtime.
In the first round, three or four pubs each day go up against each other. The winner overall on each day goes through to the final, which is held two weeks later.
Pub managers and senior chefs are encouraged to come along for the judging and to lend support at the tastings and see what their crews have done, but they can't make any alterations or comment until after the judging - or heckle the other pub teams.
The Criteria
Each dish will be judged under the following criteria; the written description of the dish; the style of the dish; presentation; taste and balance; value for money for the customer; gross profit to the pub; kitchen efficiency; likelihood of consistent reproduction; ease of service to the table.
Prizes
The winning team will enjoy the glory, the admiration and undoubtedly the accusations of bias and double-dealing from all their peers. They will also receive a trophy and probably a case or two of something quaffable to share amongst the team.