For three Tuesdays in September, Alyn Williams will be joined in the kitchen of his eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant at The Westbury by an internationally renowned chef (or chef duo), to create an extraordinary one-night-only dining experience. If you’ve read my review on Alyn Williams at The Westbury before you’ll know exactly what an accomplished chef he is – surprising the senses along the way.
From the UK’s home-grown talent, Padstow’s Paul Ainsworth and brothers Peter and Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias from Bristol, to Margot Janse from Franschhoek, South Africa. The never-before-seen collective promises rare London appearances from chefs collectively boasting three Michelin stars, and countless national and international accolades.
Together, Alyn and his guest chef(s) for each evening will create culinary magic, combining their individual talents to produce one unique tasting menu. This is a dining experience that is not to be missed, and one which you’ll never forget. Excited now? well read on and take a closer look at just who will be cooking for you.
The Queen of South African Cuisine, Margot Janse of The Tasting Room, Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek was named South Africa’s Top Chef 2012, and is one of the few females named by Relais & Chateaux as one of its “Grand Chefs” (and one of only two Grand Chefs in Africa).
Paul is chef and proprietor of the Michelin starred Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, Cornwall. A regular on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, Ainsworth applies the technical skills picked up during his training in Michelin-starred kitchens to tease maximum flavour from humble ingredients. Paul also represented the South West on the BBC’s Great British Menu and wowed the judges with his ‘Taste of the Fairground’ dessert in 2011.
Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias are the chefs/owners of highly-acclaimed Michelin starred restaurant, Casamia in Bristol. After winning their first star in 2009 Casamia was named as Ramsay’s Best Restaurant in the popular Channel 4 series in 2010, and in 2012 became the only Bristol restaurant to be awarded four AA Rosettes. Peter competed in Great British Menu’s eighth series and both the brothers and their restaurant continue to win recognition and awards for their innovative and meticulous style of cooking which pushes the boundaries of modern gastronomy making them undoubtedly amongst the most exciting young chefs in the UK.
“Alyn Williams had this to say about the anticipated arrival of this years CHEFstock: I’m very proud to once again be hosting such a spectacular line-up of chefs this September. Last year at CHEFstock 2013 we had fantastic dishes from Simon Rogan, Sat Bains, Bart De Pooter and Ignatius Chan, and this year’s events promise to be just as exciting. I admire every one of these chefs and it’s very humbling that they are coming to cook with me in my kitchen. When it comes to the menus there are no rules, the guest chefs are in charge and each tasting menu will take its own shape with our different yet harmonious dishes.”
Guests can expect to arrive to a welcome Champagne reception and canapés created by both chefs, then take a seat in the chic rosewood-accented dining room and savour each of the crafted eight courses from the one-off collaborative tasting menu – four courses from each chef, with a few surprises along the way – exciting stuff!
CHEFstock 2014 tickets cost £200 per person and includes all food, wine and Champagne. Book early to avoid disappointment and contact reservations on 020 7183 6426 or email alynwilliams@westburymayfair.com – Join in on Twitter using the hashtag #CHEFstock
