Searcys Chef Competition 2025

Searcys Launches First-Ever Chef of the Year Competition — Proudly Sponsored by Champagne Laurent-Perrier

Congratulations to the winners of our very first Chef of the Year competition — a celebration of creativity, culinary passion, and craftsmanship, proudly supported by Champagne Laurent-Perrier.

Designed to spotlight the incredible talent within our kitchens, this new competition gave chef teams the opportunity to create a bespoke three-course dinner menu, thoughtfully paired with a range of Laurent-Perrier cuvées. In true Searcys fashion, the bar was set high, and our chefs delivered.

The Challenge

From concept to cook-off, the competition was built to encourage culinary creativity across our team, showcase the best of Searcys food philosophy, build a bank of innovative, elegant seasonal dishes, as well as offer the participants an opportunity to shine alongside an international premium brand.

The Journey

Each of the 19 teams submitted a three-course menu, carefully paired with selected Laurent-Perrier, with six semi-finalists presenting their favourite dish from their menu. Judges visited each kitchen to assess presentation and flavour.

The Grand Final took place on 22 July 2025. Held at the stunning One Moorgate Place, the top three teams went head-to-head in a live cook-off, presenting canapés and their full three-course menu to a distinguished judging panel: Paul Jackson, Managing Director, Searcys. Chef Patron Richard Corrigan, and  MD of Laurent-Perrier UK Adam Guy. Paired cuvées included the most recent additions to the Laurent-Perrier portfolio – Héritage, created from 100% reserve wines; Vintage 2015; the iconic Rosé; and the prestige La Grande Siècle, Iteration 26.

And the winners are…

🥉 Bronze: Enrico Fonseca and Pavol Vrabel — Searcys at A&O Shearman
🥈 Silver: Dave Hands and Thea Randle — One Moorgate Place
🥇 Gold: Piotr Ciszak — The Royal Institution and Catia da Silva Bartolo — The HAC

Winning Dishes That Wowed the Judges

Canapés
Summer truffle & Pitchfork cheddar arancini, Cornish crab & Granny Smith cigar, Duck liver parfait & hazelnut éclair by Piotr Ciszak and Catia da Silva Bartolo.
“Great combinations — they absolutely nailed it.” – Richard Corrigan

Starter
Cured chalk stream trout & Exmoor caviar by Piotr and Catia.
“A delicate, carefully presented dish with lots of nice little touches and good colours.” – Paul Jackson

Main
Skate wing, chicken butter & champagne sauce with hispi cabbage, bergamot & crispy chicken skin by Dave Hands and Thea Randle.
“This should be a chef’s signature dish.” – Richard Corrigan

Dessert
Honey cake, fig leaf ice cream, Langres cheese mousse, malt honeycomb by Dave and Thea
“Great combinations — they’ve been brave, and it paid off.” – Richard Corrigan

Incredible Prizes

The three winning teams didn’t just earn recognition — they were awarded some fantastic prizes:

🥇 1st Prize
A luxurious two-day trip for the winning team and their guests to the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Maison in Tours-sur-Marne, including travel, accommodation, and fine dining. Valued at £5,000.

🥈 2nd Prize
A top-tier London restaurant experience for the team and their guests.

🥉 3rd Prize
A magnum of Laurent-Perrier Champagne for each team member.

All of the winning teams have also been invited to enjoy a meal and some bubbles of course at Corrigan’s Bentley’s Oyster Bar. Thank you, Richard!

What’s Next?

The winning dishes will be served at the 4th Annual Searcys Bubbly Show in March 2026, beautifully paired with Laurent-Perrier champagnes — a toast to talent, teamwork, and true culinary excellence.

We couldn’t be prouder of all the teams who took part in this exciting new chapter of Searcys culinary story — and a special congratulations to our finalists for raising the bar. Here’s to many more competitions — and glasses of Champagne — to come.

About Laurent-Perrier

Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier is one of the most respected family-owned Champagne Houses. Known for pioneering innovations like stainless steel vats and temperature-controlled fermentation, they’ve redefined freshness and elegance in Champagne. A proud holder of His Majesty King Charles III’s Royal Warrant, the House is also deeply committed to sustainability and excellence.