|
Vice Chairman of the Judges
Brian Turner has been a key player in the Roux Scholarship judging panel for some 20 years. He trained at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in Europe. Following two years at 'Simpson's in the Strand' with Richard Shepherd, (now owner of Langan's Brasserie), he followed Richard to 'The Savoy Grill' where he worked under Louis Virot. He then went to the 'Beau Rivage Palace' in Lausanne, where he developed his skills and knowledge of classical cuisine.
Turner then returned to England and worked at 'Claridge's' until 1971 when he went to the 'Capital Hotel' where he again teamed up with Richard Shepherd. Following the departure of Richard Shepherd in 1975 he became Chef de Cuisine at this uniquely Michelin starred hotel where he reigned for eleven years. During his period at the 'Capital' Turner was responsible for the launch of the 'Greenhouse Restaurant' in Mayfair and the 'Metro Wine Bar' in Basil Street, becoming executive chef of these establishments.
In 1986 Turner opened his own restaurant 'Turner's', in Walton street, Knightsbridge, 'Turner's' set new standards for the British chef-owned restaurants.
Turner appears regularly on 'Ready Steady Cook'. He has made numerous appearances on the 'Food and Drink' programme and has also been a judge on 'Master Chef'. He featured, as resident chef for many years on Granada's 'This Morning' eventually moving to the BBC for his own series 'Anything you can Cook'. Despite a hectic television schedule Turner still spent the equivalent of a full working week at the restaurant personally meeting and greeting his customers.
In 2001 he sold Turner's of Walton Street. In February 2002 Turner opened the eponymous Brian Turner Restaurant at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham's NEC in association with the Aramark Contract Catering Company. This was set up as a three year contract.
Turner is President of the Academy of Culinary Arts, Chairman of the UK Hospitality Skills Board and has also been awarded an Honorary Professorship of Thames Valley University because of his work and commitment to The London School of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure and catering education in general.
Despite all of this Turner is heavily committed to various charities, having run the London Marathon for the benefit of Aids victims, walked The Moonwalk for Breast Cancer and ridden at Windsor Racecourse for The Princess Trust for Carers he still finds time to do work for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and other charities.
In June 2002 Turner was awarded a CBE for his services to tourism and training in the catering industry.
In 2003 ‘Brian Turner’s Favourite British Recipes’ was published and Turner was appearing regularly back on Granada’s ‘This Morning’ as well as frequent airings on Great Food Live.
He received ‘The Special Award’ at the Cateys reflecting Brian’s commitment and dedication not only to the British catering industry but also acknowledging his tireless hard work with a number of charities with which he is involved. He also received the Springboard Award of Excellence in the autumn of 2004.
There is also a major commitment to training of young people within the industry and his latest project is the Schools Futurechef competition. Late 2005 Brian was awarded a Fellowship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (FCGI) along with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Yorkshire Society.
Please visit his website for more details
Back to Judges List
|
