Adam Bennett

After eight years as Head Chef at Simpsons, Edgbaston, Coventry-born Adam Bennett became Chef Director at Kenilworth pub The Cross in 2013 – another venture backed by Simpsons supremo Andreas Antona.

In his earlier days, he completed a spell under Anton Mosimann at The Dorchester, London, and worked in France, at Restaurant Guy Lassausaie in Lyon and Restaurant Marc Meurin in Bethune. Previous accolades include reaching the final of National Chef of the Year UK and winning Midlands Chef of the Year in 2005.

In 2012, Bennett was Britain’s entrant in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or championships (past British nominees include Simon Hulstone), which brings together some of the best chefs from around the world to compete in a live cook off. Bennett saw off some intense competition to reach the final where his meat dish of truffled blue legged chicken with mushrooms and tarragon was marked best in class.

And one story from his exploits in Brussels demonstrates just how particular Adam Bennett is. Clearly not one to compromise on ingredients, Bennett realised while out in Brussels that he had forgotten the baby leeks needed for one of his courses. The answer was to send Simpsons’ Executive chef, Luke Tipping, onto the Eurostar to deliver the vegetable.

At the main event of the Bocuse D’Or, in Lyon, Bennett achieved Britain’s best ever result by finishing fourth and winning the Best Meat Course prize.

While his cuisine could be described as modern British, dishes like Poulet Basquaise and Wild rice, squid, sweetcorn, peppers, coriander, lime and squid ink reveal Bennett’s eclectic streak. Adam was a warded a Michelin Star in 2012 at The Cross.