Yesterday we unveiled the first half of the jury that has judged the II Sammic BasqueStage winners.
The second half of the jury is made up of three more great chefs, plus one (unmistakable) media personality. Together, they have helped decide the two lucky winners that will be announced later today.
Hilario Arbelaitz
At Zuberoa Restaurant, Hilario Arbelaitz offers a flavoursome, imaginative cuisine with strong contrasts, using the finest local products. Hilario sets out to woo diners with his exquisite creamy dishes and his cuisine might be considered to mark the highest level of gastronomic craftsmanship.
Philippe Labbé
Philippe Labbé is a French chef that cooked at the two-Michelin-star Chevre d’Or before being recruited to Paris last year. He now oversees the dining at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, at the restaurants La Bauhinia and L’Abeille. He manages to unite tradition and modernity, respecting local techniques and adapting them in order to create new flavors.
Jean-François Piège
Jean-François Piège is a French chef who used to be at the helm of Les Ambassadeurs in Paris, a two-star Michelin in Hotel Crillon. He has recently opened a 20-seat restaurant to showcase his simple and elegant French cooking above his other eatery, La Brasserie Thoumieux. Michelin awarded his new venture 2 stars within months of his opening.
David de Jorge
David de Jorge is the right hand man of Martín Berasategui and a genuine media beast. He promotes a natural and -in his words- “no-bullshit” cooking style for everyday’s life. He also hosts one of today’s most promising Spanish cooking TV shows, from right behind the Berasategui restaurant.
Also on the jury are Sammic’s Managing and Marketing directors Jon Markina and Amaia Altuna.
Come back later today for the announcement…