Top chef and visiting UCB professor Brian Turner CBE has stepped down as president of the prestigious Bocuse d鈥橭r but will stay on the聽聽as honorary life vice-president.
Brian, who was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at UCB's higher education graduation ceremony last October, held the role for nearly 30 years, but with Team UK once again through to the Bocuse d鈥橭r world final, which will be held in the French city of Lyon in January, he decided the time was right to pass on the mantle.
Simon Rogan, award-winning chef owner of L鈥橢nclume and Rogan and Co in Cartmel and London restaurants Aulis and Roganic, has taken on the role.
Brian said: 鈥淪ince I very proudly took on the honour of representing the UK in the Bocuse d鈥橭r, the competition has grown to be a truly global event.
鈥淚t has been an incredible journey developing wonderful gastronomic relationships with many of the world鈥檚 top chefs over so many years. I am extremely grateful to all who have represented the UK and have been part of our team.
鈥淪ince setting up the Academy in October 2017, we have grown to become a stronger team and we have a very worthy successor in Simon Rogan. He is a fantastic chef and there is a great deal of respect for what he does within the UK and beyond. I wish him every success in the role.鈥�
The new president paid tribute to his predecessor saying: 鈥淚 am delighted and humbled to be taking on such a prestigious role. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank Brian for his dedication over the past 29 years, which has undoubtedly helped cement the UK鈥檚 standing within the Bocuse d鈥橭r family.鈥�
Tom Phillips from London鈥檚 Restaurant Story and commis chef Nathan Lane, who earned a聽Level 3 in Advanced Professional Cookery聽at UCB and works at Michelin-starred The Cross at Kenilworth, will represent the UK against 23 countries in January鈥檚 Lyon final.
