Stuart Dale at the StrEAT Food Award FINALS 2023!

Posted: 30th October 2023 | Category: Achievements

Stuart Dale, Executive Development Chef and Mellors very own culinary genius wowed the crowd as he took to the stage at the StrEAT Food Award Finals.

The prestigious event hosted at none other than London’s iconic Big Penny, where a delightful fusion of flavours captivated palates of food enthusiasts from around the UK.

The StrEAT Food Awards searches for the UK’s most creative street food chef from the workplace and event catering sectors. This unique competition invites caterers, chefs, food/menu development chefs and unit managers from contract caterers and staff restaurants to enter and present their street food innovations to the industry.

With 16 finalists battling it out in a cook-off, all competing in a series of challenges starting with cooking their signature dish in front of judges, before creating a technical dish made up from a specific selection of sponsor ingredients.

Mellors Chef Stuart cooked up a storm with a Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki dish. Fresh from his recent trip to Japan and taking inspirations from his travels, Stuart Dale presented his unique take on the Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki dish. Stuart whisked the judges off their feet, bringing a taste of Japan right to the heart of London.

The Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is a beloved Japanese delicacy, known for its layers of savory goodness, hearty toppings, and umami-packed sauces.

Stuart said,

“Japan left a mark on my culinary soul. The passion and precision that I witnessed during my trip were truly inspiring. The Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki encapsulates the heart and soul of Japanese street food, and I’m excited to offer it as a tribute to the incredible flavours I encountered.”

Danielle Watkins, Head of Nutrition and Food Development at Mellors said,

“Stuarts passion for food remains a testament to his unwavering commitment to food innovation and creativity. Despite not securing the top spot, we’re all incredibly proud of what Stuart has achieved.

“At Mellors, we constantly strive to launch new and exciting flavours which inspire and tingle tastebuds! We like to immerse our customers into a world of different flavours.”

Stuart added, “Participating in the StrEAT Food Awards has been an incredible journey. It was amazing to be among such talented chefs who share an equal love for food.”

In 2022, Stuart was crowned winner of “Meat-Free Dish of the Year Award” at the StrEAT Food Awards, cooking up an incredible South American-style Quorn arepa.

Well done Stuart, you have done Mellors proud!