The iconic Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff is celebrating a recent win at the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), fifth annual International Copper Skillet Competition.

Vue Grand, Executive Chef Mark Pilgrim answered the call within IACC global members to participate in the Fifth Annual International Copper Skillet Competition for IACC “Chef of the Year”, on Sunday 31st January 2010.

The Association which has more than 300 member conference centers around the world, sponsors an annual competition to recognize the best chef from each country among its members. The winners from each country will than battle it out at a cook off to be recognized as the best chef in the IACC.

The competition to select the best Australian Chef, was held at the Deakin Management Centre between four chefs - Troy Murphy (Bellinzona Grange Country Retreat), Eresh Tantiriwatta (The Grange at Cleveland Winery), Simon White (The Stables Conference Centre) and Mark Pilgrim of the Vue Grand, Queenscliff. 

Executive Chef, Mark Pilgrim commented that each chef was given a mystery market basket of fresh produce, grains and three protein ingredients such as meat, fish, or poultry.

“We were given 15 minutes to review our items and then plan the dish, after which we had a 30 minute ‘cook off’ time allotment. My dish which took out the award was a herb crusted lamb loin on steamed leeks with asparagus and barramundi ceviche.” Said Mr Pilgrim.

The ‘Champion Chef’ from each county will now travel to the IACC Annual Conference at Eaglewood Resort, Chicago, Illinois on March 24-26 2010.
Following the Mystery Basket theme, chefs from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the United States, will once again be judged on their creativity during a 30 minute cook off.

The judging criteria for the cooking competition will include originality of the creation, presentation, texture, flavor combinations and hygiene standard of work area.
 

Why not try out Marks skills at the 'A Taste of Classic Queenscliff Lunch' as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on 14th March 2010? Tickets onsale now. Ph: 5258 1544