Judges Panel

Salon Director for Salon Culinaire and Vice President of Craft Guild of Chefs - A chef of 45 years' experience, Steve spent 25 years as the acclaimed Executive Chef at the Royal Garden Hotel. During this time, he led a brigade of over 60 chefs cooking for two restaurants that gained 2 and 3 rosettes, award-winning banqueting events and for guests from around the world including royalty, pop stars and national sports teams. Steve's career has taken him to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, with time spent cruising around the world on the QE2.

Cyrus is co-founder of Zest Quest Asia, and chef owner of iconic Indian restaurant, Café Spice Namaste. Cyrus is a Fellow of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, the Institute of Hospitality and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts. He is a founding member of the Company of Entrepreneurs and a member of the Worshipful Company of Cooks. He is the recipient of an Education and Training Catey and has an MBE for his services to education and training and an OBE for his contribution to hospitality and the culinary arts. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London.

Pervin is co-founder of Zest Quest Asia, and co-owner with Cyrus of Café Spice Namaste in Royal Albert Wharf, Docklands. A classically trained chef, Pervin is a Patron of Learning for Life and a founding member of the Company of Entrepreneurs, a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and a member of the Reunion des Gastronomes. She is a Trustee of the Oxford Cultural Collective and Ambassador for the Universal Cookery and Food Festival.

Following a career encompassing Ettington Park, Stratford; The Lygon Arms, Broadway; and Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield, Clive and his wife Cathy took over The Old Forge in Storrington in 1988. He is Vice President of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, Honorary Fellow of Westminster Kingsway College and Master Craftsman of The Craft Guild of Chefs.

Dave Boland is a passionate believer in helping the next generation of chefs fulfil their full potential, and has been involved with numerous student competitions over the years including Toque d'Or, Royal Association of Culinary Arts Specialised Chefs Scholarship, European Apprentice of the Year and many more. He was previously a Senior Lecturer at Bournemouth and Poole College, now retired.

Sarah Hartnett is a pastry chef and chocolatier, applying over 20 years of international and five-star hospitality experience to the production of her exquisite creations. Sarah's career began after studies in Cork Institute of Technology and the completion of an Advanced Diploma in International Culinary Arts with John Huber in London. After seven years working to the level of Pastry Sous Chef at Claridge's Hotel, she worked alongside the late Andrew Bennett MBE at the Sheraton Hotel. She is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and an Honorary Fellow of Westminster Kingsway College.

Sri Lankan-born Mario Perera was part of the culinary team at the Taj Samudra in Colombo before he moved to London in 1995 to take up the role of commis chef at The Dorchester. He moved on after 15 years to be part of the reopening team for the Four Seasons Park Lane Hotel as Executive Sous Chef, returning to the same role at The Dorchester in 2017 before being promoted to Executive Chef. He is no stranger to presenting his culinary creations to heads of state, diplomats and dignitaries and is exceptionally proud to have served her Majesty the Queen. Mario has recently moved to the, Jumeirah Carlton Tower where he is Executive Chef.

Nick is a freelance Chef and Retired Head Chef at House of Commons. He is a regular on the competition circuit, judging at International Salon Culinaire and is a valued member of the Craft Guild of Chefs. He also regularly assists them onsite for the finals of National Chef of the Year and Young National Chef of the Year.

Arran Schaffer is Head Pastry Chef at Michelin starred, Hide in Mayfair, where he leads the pastry kitchen After training at Westminster Kingsway College, he began his career at The Ritz London, gaining experience across all areas of the pastry section. He then joined Trivet in London Bridge as part of the opening team just before COVID, before taking on senior roles at Popham’s Bakery, Allegra, and The Midland Grand Dining Room. Where he oversaw the pastry for both award winning restaurants.

With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Meredith is a seasoned Area General Manager with a proven track record of delivering exceptional service and results. He has successfully managed multiple Hilton hotels. He is currently the Area General Manager at Hilton Hotels - Sports Hotels Porfolio