Chef at Mill Road restaurant to represent UK in worldwide contest

A chef at a Cambridge^[1] restaurant is set to switch Mill Road for Milan when he represents the UK in an international cooking competition. Marcus Clayton, who works at Venderlyle in Cambridge’s Mill Road^[2], will head to Milan next month for a two-day finale to round up a two-year competition.

Marcus will compete against 14 others from around the world in the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy 2022-23 grand finale, on October 4 and 5. Originally from Rye in East Sussex, the chef’s role at Venderlyle was earned due to his success in the competition’s regional final.

To have reached this far is a testament to Marcus’ talent: it shows he is one of 15 of the world’s most promising chefs under 30. Marcus, whose career in the kitchen began when he had a washing up job at the age of 14, said: “I was delighted to win the UK regional final last year and now I’m looking forward to representing the UK at the grand finale.

“I’ve had a great experience throughout the competition to date, including working closely with Lisa (Goodwin-Allen) on my signature dish, which I’m excited to present to the highly esteemed members of the grand jury in Milan next month.”

Lisa Goodwin-Allen is a Michelin-starred chef who won season five of the Great British Menu. Marcus impressed the UK jury last year with his signature dish, celeriac, apple and mushroom - a recipe he has spent years perfecting and will go on to present in Milan.

After studying his A Levels, Marcus started working at the Mermaid Hotel in Rye, before continuing his learning and training at Thackerays in Tunbridge Wells, where he ran the pastry section.

Marcus then moved to a small holding in Kilndown, Kent, where he developed a passion for foraging and produce-led cooking, and honed in on his creativity. He later opened the Curlew in Bodiam with Will Devlin and Matt Broadbent, before working with Rob Taylor at The Compasses Inn, Crundale.

Venderlyle, where the chef currently works, is completely vegetarian. It aims to ‘consider the planet and both the mental and physical health of hospitality professionals’, according to its website.

The two-day grand finale event in Milan will bring together some of the most influential voices in gastronomy, to consider how to create positive change in society through food.

References

1. ^{^} Cambridge (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Mill Road (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Meet Cambridgeshire’s ‘secret baker’ on Great British Bake Off tonight (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
4. ^{^} The Cambridge 'culinary gem' named one of the world's best restaurants (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)