You may not have heard of the Bocuse D’Or.
The chefs’ equivalent of the Olympic Games is not televised in this country, exciting as it is.
And that’s not because the British aren’t interested in cooking. From shouty Gordon Ramsey to sultry Nigella Lawson, we enjoy watching chefs at work.
But if the Bocuse D’Or doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, the reason may be very simple. It’s not a contest the British think they have any chance of winning.
At least, not until now. Birmingham chef Adam Bennett finished sixth in Europe and picked up the prize for the best meat course in the European qualifiers.
He hasn’t yet won the whole thing, although he might – no pressure, Adam – but it’s already a major achievement.
And his success reflects Birmingham’s growing reputation as a fantastic place to eat. Birmingham is becoming renowned for the quality of its restaurants and takes second place to nowhere.
Mr Bennett is a credit to Simpsons, of course, but also to Birmingham as a whole.
