This is the first year that Blue Arrow have held their Chef of The Year competition. With 40 entrants, 8 made it to the semi finals and then the final 3 fought it out last night at The Merchant Taylors Hall where they had 2 hours to cook a 4 course meal infront of 5 prestigious chefs.

Whilst the dishes were being finished off and judged down in the kitchens the guests were kept amused upstairs with their own Great Omelette Challenge:

The winners were due to be announced at 7.30pm although the judges  who were celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Executive Sous Chef for Harrods, Allister Bishop, Craft and Food Development Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland, David Mulcahy, Director of Food for Gather & Gather, Jim Norris and Blue Arrow’s very own Resident Chef and Chef Patron at the acclaimed Saffron Group of restaurants, Sudha Saha had an extremely hard time on deciding on the winner.

Just after 8.30pm which much anticipation Jean-Christophe Novelli introduced the three finalists – Gareth Ruck, Richard Skinner and Luke Smith

Jean-Christophe said that the standard of all the dishes produced were worthy of a Michelin Star and there was less than point between 3rd, 2nd and 1st place. The room was full of anticipation as at long last he announced the Blue Arrow Chef of The Year 2013 was Richard Skinner from Artisan.