The "Ray Kenny Bursary"
Headline – Celebrity chef Brian Turner judges the new “Ray Kenny Bursary” for creative catering students in Devon.
Celebrity chef Brian Turner will be one of the judges of a cooking competition between six young chefs from across the region to be held at South Devon College on February 8, in honour of Ray Kenny. The students will take part in a “cook-off” challenge and the winner will have the chance to work in the prestigious kitchens at Lucknam Park Hotel in Gloucestershire through a bursary founded in memory of Dorchester-trained chef Ray.
Ray’s wife Isabelle has created the bursary as a legacy to her husband, who died of leukaemia in 2007. The couple are well known in the area for their creation of Castle Grove Nursing Hame in Bampton, which followed their dream of being a “hotel with nurses” when they opened 27 years ago.
Ray was for many years the Chairman of governors at East Devon College as he was passionate about education.
It is hoped the bursary will be available to catering students studying at further education Colleges in Devon from 2011 onwards with variations on how it will be won.
This year, the winning candidate will receive a month’s salary at Lucknam Park paid for by the Kenny family with accommodation provided by the hotel. Second prize £250 and the four runners-up receive £75-worth of cooking utensils, including a Sabatier knife.
Brian Turner, who is best known for TV appearances on shows such as Market Kitchen and Ready, Steady, Cook said:
“Having known Ray whilst we were young training chefs, his passion for good food was infectious.
“A key part of my career has been sharing my love of food with others – and I know Ray would have relished seeing the talent on show at this event. I’m looking forward to being part of the judging panel and giving the chance of a lifetime to one successful young chef.”
Isabelle said:
“Ray started at the original Jury’s Hotel in Dublin, where he was born, and like many chefs he realised that to be the best he needed to get experience in the top kitchens.
“So, he left Ireland and went to The Dorchester hotel in London, working under the legendary Swiss chef Eugene Kaufeler.
“Ray would be pleased to know that a bursary in his name was helping chefs-in-training get to the next level and experience an amazing professional experience that Lucknam Park can provide.
“It is such a privilege to have Brian Turner judging the competition as they knew each other for many years. The young chefs that are taking part are all very talented and we’re really excited to see what kind of food they will all produce in the cook-off competition.”
Helen Marshall, Section Head of Catering, Hospitality and Tourism at South Devon College, said:
“This opportunity for the young people involved represents something very special – not just because of the challenge it provides to cook in front of one of the country’s leading chefs, but also because it challenges them to really up their game to compete for the chance to work for a period of time in one of the region’s best kitchens.
“We are very grateful to the Kenny family for offering our promising catering students this chance and we are sure they will do honour to Ray, who was an inspiration to many people.”
Ray was born in Dublin, starting his career there at the original Jury’s Hotel. He realised that all good chefs need to spread their wings and went to The Dorchester hotel in London, working under legendary Swiss chef Eugene Kaufeler. After spending four years in Switzerland, broadening of his experience, Ray returned home.
He decided to become a lecturer at the renowned Ealing College, inspiring a new generation of budding young chefs. During this time he also worked at The Dorchester with Anton Mosimann.