Sodexo Schools pastry chef wins national dessert competition
Alice Peel impressed judges with her well-matched flavours and awarded the Strawberry, Lime & Champagne Sundae as this year’s star dessert.
She said: “I’m honoured to have been crowned the winner of Mövenpick Ice Cream’s Gourmet Dessert Chef of the Year competition. I worked hard to make sure the taste of Mövenpick was a real focus and thought about my presentation in-depth.
“I’ve always loved strawberry and lime as a dessert pairing and, combined with a little fizz, thought it’d give my sundae a lovely summery taste.”
Peel is based at the Independents by Sodexo contract with Caterham School, Surrey, where she’s the pastry chef responsible for 1,400 lunchtime covers every day.
Led by head judge and compere Will Torrent, all recipes were analysed by mixologist Lee Hyde, The Caterer’s Lisa Jenkins and last year’s Gourmet Dessert Chef winner and chef at the London Marriott Country Hall Hotel Biju Joshwa.
Will Torrent said: “We were really impressed by the enthusiasm and attention to detail shown by all four of this year’s finalists. For us, Alice’s Strawberry, Lime & Champagne Sundae was the clear winner, thanks to its beautifully balanced flavours and superb presentation.
“Alice successfully made the Mövenpick Double Cream & Meringue Ice Cream the sundae’s hero, complemented by the fruity bite of the strawberries, lime and fresh Champagne. It was a truly stunning summer sundae.”
Harriet Morley, UK & Ireland Business Development Manager of Mövenpick Ice Cream, said of the competition: “This annual competition is such a good chance for us to meet all the exceptionally talented pastry chefs out there. They readily accept our challenge and this year was no different.
“Each chef used Mövenpick in their own creative and innovative way, but it was Alice who we felt brought out its great taste. Well done, I look forward to tasting your delicious sundae again at Taste of London!”
Peel has won a prize including, VIP tickets to Taste of London and the opportunity to showcase her winning dessert, spending money and a two night stay in a 4* London hotel.