Awards

Brains Food Pub of the Year 2011

Brains Managed House of the Year 2010

Brains Chef of the Year 2010

Lamb & Flag chef, Matthew Lewis, has been crowned Brains Chef of the Year 2010 for the second year in a row. Matthew produced a winning three course menu, beating five other Brains chefs to take the title.

Matthew began his career at the Lamb and Flag nine years ago, starting out as a kitchen porter, then moving to the front of house. But it was his passion for food that took him back to the kitchen. Since becoming chef he has achieved the AAA foundation and chef level award from Cambrian Training, and is working towards an NVQ level three in professional cookery. He is also voluntarily tutoring under privileged 14 – 16 year olds in a local youth centre.

Click here for more pictures of Matthew in our gallery

Brains Chefs First to Pass AAA Senior Award

Three chefs from Welsh pub operator S.A Brain and Co Ltd have become the first in the UK to complete the third and final level on the AAA (Applied Ability Awards) career ladder.

Claire Barrell (top left) and Matthew Lewis (middle left), both chefs at the Lamb and Flag in Abergavenny, were nominated by Brains to take part in the Triple A Senior Chef pilot programme, which is running over 2011 with support from the Welsh Assembly.

The Triple A scheme was developed by the UK chef’s bodies, including the Welsh Culinary Association, coming together in 2008 with the aim of raising the skills of chefs through on-the-job training and mentorship. It is fast becoming the benchmark by which chefs are measured and some of the best restaurants in the UK, including Claridges Hotel and The Ritz, have put their chefs through the scheme.

Arwyn Watkins, representing Wales on the AAA National Committee, said: "As the first Chefs to step up to the mark in pursuit of the Senior Chef Award, Doug, Matthew and Claire have set the standard for all future senior chefs. Not only are they passionate about achieving excellence but also have the skills and the ability to coach, mentor and manage members of their team."

Scott Antony, the Committee’s Development Director, added: "The enthusiasm and commitment of the Brains chefs to achieve the AAA Senior Chef standard has led to full testing for this third and final level to the Triple A, which Welsh chefs have pioneered over the last three years. Thanks must go to Brains for the foresight and support they have shown in partnering this drive to equip staff to meet their customers' rising expectations."