With already over 150 entries to the UK’s largest live culinary competition in 2009, organisers of the Wessex Salon Culinaire are urging chefs who have not yet submitted their entry to do so via the new-look website, www.hotel-expo.co.uk/wsc, before the deadline, Friday 27th February 2009.

In association with the Craft Guild of Chefs, the Wessex Salon Culinaire sponsored by Nestlé Professional® CHEF®, Bournemouth and Poole College and Coastline Produce, will form a key part of the annual Hotel and Catering Show, which takes place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March 2009 at the Bournemouth International Centre.

This year, for the first time in the competition’s history, the Craft Guild of Chefs will acknowledge the talents of one College competing in the contest with the Best Catering College in Show award. Also acknowledging and recognising local talent for the first time, the Craft Guild of Chefs will award inaugural trophies to the Best Dorset and Hampshire Cost Sector Caterer and the Best Dorset and Hampshire Profit Sector Caterer competing in the prominent culinary competition.

Judge of the Wessex Salon Culinaire and vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Stephen Scuffell, says: “The Wessex Salon Culinaire is one of only a few competitions in the UK which is held annually. Year on year we witness the culinary competition grow from strength to strength, especially in the expertise of the student chefs that represent many of the UK’s top Colleges. By introducing the Best College in Show award to the Wessex Salon Culinaire, we hope to appeal to and encourage other Colleges from across the country to enter the competition and compete for the prestigious title.”

With the deadline for the culinary competition fast approaching and the announcement of three new awards being introduced to the contest, joint sponsor of the Wessex Salon Culinaire, Bournemouth and Poole College, is offering free master classes throughout February to help develop and refine chef’s competition skills.

On Friday 13th, 20th and 27th February from 2.30pm, the College’s experienced team will be sharing top tips on competing in the esteemed culinary contest and offering advice on what the judges will be looking for in the variety of live and static competition classes.

Gary Kilminster, who is running the free competition master classes at Bournemouth and Poole College, says: “The free master classes are a perfect opportunity for those chefs who have already submitted their entry to the Wessex Salon Culinaire, to perfect their competition skills and gain advice from the experts on how to be successful in the culinary contest. The advice and demonstrations sessions are also ideal for chefs that are considering entering the contest, but want to learn more about the process of competing in a live and static competition setting.”

Organisers of the Hotel and Catering Show, the CEM Group, are also lending a helping hand to chefs searching for more information on the Wessex Salon Culinaire, by introducing an interactive Hospitality Forum to its new-look website, www.hotel-expo.co.uk. The forum provides chefs with the opportunity to discuss the Wessex Salon Culinaire with others in the industry and ask experts questions about the contest.

To book a place on the free Wessex Salon Culinaire master classes being run by Bournemouth and Poole College, please contact the Service Industries Office on 01202 205831.

For details on the Wessex Salon Culinaire, please contact Deborah Jones on 01425 485048.