Stephen Ashburn, Rudding Park’s Conference and Banqueting Head Chef, was awarded “Banqueting Chef of the Year” by the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs at their 2008 awards ceremony held in London.

In the competition Stephen beat off chefs from some massive conference and banqueting operations – his fellow finalists were Nigel Boschetti, Executive Chef of the large conference and banqueting hotel, the Royal Lancaster in London and Steve Golding, Executive Chef of Sodexho Prestige, nationwide contract caterers.

The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards are the definitive chefs’ accolade and are open to all chefs across the UK. To be nominated for the Banqueting Chef of the Year Award Stephen Ashburn was required to demonstrate an innovative approach and show outstanding commitment, producing consistently high quality food.

Peter Banks, Managing Director of Rudding Park supported Stephen’s nomination with a ringing endorsement, saying: “Stephen is the epitome of a true Banqueting Chef. He is calm, accurate, quality focussed and extremely organised. Stephen’s motto is that he sees no reason why the food for a function of 800 people should be of any lower quality than a meal for two”.

“We are delighted that Stephen won this award, he is passionate about the quality of the food he produces, is incredibly hard working and a marvellous leader of his team. This type of loyalty is rare nowadays but the brigade of chefs he leads repay his loyalty with the utmost respect and dedication.”

Commenting on his award, Stephen said: “It is a real honour to have won “Banqueting Chef 2008” from the Craft Guild of Chefs, but the real praise should go to the excellent team we have here in the Conference and Banqueting kitchen at Rudding Park.”

For further information on Rudding Park please contact Fiona Ashburn on 01423 871350.