Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Seafood Development Agency wish to congratulate the 21st Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year, Kamil Dubanik (23) from Knockranny House Hotel in Co. Mayo. This is an exceptional win for Knockranny House Hotel as last year’s winner also came from the hotel. Kamil Dubanik was crowned the winner on Monday 28th November at a gourmet tasting lunch prepared by the competition finalists in The Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
L-R: Seamus Commons, Head, Chef Knockranny House Hotel, Helen McDaid, Failte Ireland, Adrian Noonan proprietor, Knockranny House Hotel, Kamil Dubanik, Knockranny House Hotel, (Winner of the 2011 Eurotoques Young Chef of the Year) Geraldine Noonan, Knockranny House Hotel and Geraldine Lane BIM.
Kamil’s journey to this culinary award is remarkable. Originally from Poland, he has been in the kitchen only three years; starting out as kitchen porter in the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, Co. Mayo and working his way up to his current position of Demi-Chef de Partie. He recently completed an Advanced Certificate in Professional Cookery at GMIT. His recipe for the culinary skills test was Roast Troncon of Achill Island Turbot, Dublin Bay Prawn Tortellini, Jerusalem Artichoke, Mushroom, Cheek, Liver, Dublin Bay Prawn, Lovage.
Supported by BIM and Failte Ireland, Kamil has won a top prize of an all-expenses paid stage at The Ivy, London’s favourite restaurant, under Executive Chef Gary Lee. Plus a one week stage at the award winning Michelin star Chapter One restaurant in Dublin under the tutelage of Euro-toques head chef Ross Lewis.
In addition, each of the finalists have won a unique food experience with BIM and Failte Ireland. BIM will host a practical on-site introduction to the complex world of the seafood industry, visiting a seafood facility and discussing how fish is caught or harvested, bought, and sold, and what this all means to a chef. Including meetings with key industry personnel, processors and industry chef. In tandem, Failte Ireland will host an educational focused Food Tourism road trip – taking in ‘hands-on’ cooking time in top professional kitchens, visits to artisan food producers; tastings, demos, unique meal experiences and overnight stays with exemplary Irish food and hospitality operators.
The Euro-toques Young Chef competition emphasises training and development, with the role of the mentor being central to the process. The involvement of BIM and Failte Ireland as sponsors reflects their recognition of the importance of chefs in building Ireland’s national and international food reputation, the pivotal role that ‘local food’ plays in this and, above all, their commitment to education and development in this sector. This year’s competition is also supported suppliers La Rousse Foods, Findlater Wine & Spirit Group and Bragard, and Industry partners The Merrion Hotel Dublin, The Ivy London and Chapter One Restaurant.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Seafood Development Agency wish to congratulate the 21st Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year, Kamil Dubanik (23) from Knockranny House Hotel in Co. Mayo. This is an exceptional win for Knockranny House Hotel as last year’s winner also came from the hotel. Kamil Dubanik was crowned the winner on Monday 28th November at a gourmet tasting lunch prepared by the competition finalists in The Merrion Hotel, Dublin. 