Rafters: Sheffield chef Dan Conlon makes semi-final of UK’s most prestigious culinary competition

A Sheffield chef has made it to the semi-finals of the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition, National Chef of the Year.
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Dan Conlon, aged 26, is head chef at Rafters, a Michelin-listed restaurant in the city. He entered the competition to push himself and was shocked to find out he made it to the semi finals.

“It’s such an amazing achievement and such a proud moment for me,” he said.

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Dan Conlon,  head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022Dan Conlon,  head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022
Dan Conlon, head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022
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Only the most innovative and creative chefs get a shot at the title.

“To find out you’re through, you receive a personalised chef’s jacket in the post. I’d seen on social media others had got theirs and I hadn’t got one yet so I was worried. My mum called

me that afternoon to tell me it arrived and I dropped everything to go try it on,” explained Dan.

National Chef of the Year winners include Gordon Ramsay and Mark Sargeant

Dan Conlon,  head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022Dan Conlon,  head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022
Dan Conlon, head chef at Sheffield restaurant Rafters, has reached the semi-final of National Chef of the Year 2022

Only 40 chefs across the UK have made it to this semi-final, with some of the previous competition winners including Gordon Ramsay and Mark Sargeant.

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The applicants began by preparing a three course menu where they chose their own starter and dessert, and cooked venison for the main. Each dish had to include one ingredient from the ‘Future 50 food group’ which are foods that are healthier for the environment and ourselves.

Kenny Atkinson, a judge in the competition, who is chef patron at House of Tides in Newcastle, said: “Running my own business, I know how hard it is for chefs with staff shortages and so I take my hat off to every single chef who has entered this year. Credit must also go to the establishments and businesses they work for in supporting their entries.

“Putting together an entry of this level is time-consuming and requires a huge amount of effort and determination. The standard of entries this year was really high which makes this even more impressive, and it’s given us judges a huge amount of confidence in the future of the industry and the talent that is out there.”

After a few more stages, including sending off a paper menu, Dan reached the semis where he had to answer questions about what he chose for his menu and why he chose it.

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Entrants then had to create an amuse-bouche dish that represented them as a person and as a chef.

“I chose cauliflower cheese” explained Dan.

“It’s a dish on the menu at Rafters and that’s where I’ve worked for eight years. We’re like a family and they pushed me to where I am now.

“It also reminds me of home. I have fond memories of my family all diving into cauliflower cheese dishes around the dinner table. We’re a family of foodies.”

Rafters praised by Michelin inspectors for ‘richly flavoured dishes’

After attending the culinary school at Sheffield College and gaining his professional chef diploma seven years ago, Dan got a part-time job as a chef at Rafters, before working his way up the ranks and becoming head chef last year.

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“I fit in straight away at Rafters. I love the team, we all have a laugh together and the family culture at the restaurant is unbelievable” said Dan.

Praised in the latest Michelin guide, inspectors said they were impressed with Rafters’ ‘richly flavoured dishes’ and the restaurant’s ethos is to deliver ‘relaxed Sheffield hospitality with

fantastic food cooked and served by a team that genuinely cares’.

Dan will find out on Friday, August 12 if he made it to the final, which will only consist of the best 10 chefs.

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The winner will not only receive the most sought-after chef title in the UK, but they will take home a host of impressive prizes including culinary experiences, equipment and trips of a

lifetime.

“To get to the final would be unbelievable,” he continued, “I’d be so excited to see who I’d be up against as there are some incredible chefs in the competition.”