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Compass Chef of the Year Competition
Aberdeen-based Chris Macleod, executive chef at ESS Offshore & Remote - the leading food and support services provider to the
offshore sector - has been crowned Compass Group UK & Ireland senior chef of the year.
This prestigious cooking competition, now in its 20 th year, took place at the beginning of October at The Restaurant Show at
London’s Olympia. Hundreds of chefs from Compass Group UK & Ireland – the UK’s largest food and support services company –
applied to take part in the competition across its three categories: apprentice, junior and senior chef of the year.
The senior competition saw 10 chefs cook four courses in just two hours, including a sustainable fish course and a vegan or
vegetarian starter.
Chris Macleod, executive chef at ESS Offshore & Remote, said of his win: “I am absolutely overwhelmed to have won as it is
something I have dreamt about for a long time. I have competed in the senior chef competition on two previous occasions and to
finally win on the third attempt means the world to me. I have recently become a father, and the added motivation and support I have
received from my family has been amazing. I worked hard to create a menu that was inspiring and met the brief from the judges,
whilst also thinking about our local suppliers and provenance.”
Chris started at ESS Offshore & Remote as senior chef de partie, working at a client’s head office site, and over the last seven and a
half years has worked his way up to his current role of executive chef, where he provides support for the onshore contracts in the
Aberdeen area.
Ronnie Kelman, business director at ESS Offshore & Remote
said: “We’re delighted about this win. Chris has shown immense
skill and passion in the kitchen and this competition is all about
showing talent in our business – it’s brilliant to see him flying
the flag for ESS chefs. Our chefs have to cook under challenging
conditions within the offshore and remote sector and Chris has
clearly demonstrated what can be done using local ingredients,
creativity and dedication. Well done to Chris.”
Compass senior chef of the year was judged by an esteemed
panel of chefs including: celebrity chef, Brian Turner CBE;
Peter Griffiths MBE, president of the British Culinary
Federation; Chris Tanner – one of the founding partners of the
Tanners Restaurant; Simon Hulstone, chef proprietor of
the 1* Michelin The Elephant restaurant; Omero Gallucci, chef
consultant; Nathan Aldous, lead pastry chef for Team England;
and last year’s Compass senior chef of the year winner, Daniel
Lines, Restaurant Associates.