ADAM Reid has got a lot on his plate at the moment. We await his performance in the national finals of the Great British Menu (October 24-October 28), at stake a chance to cook at a Great Britons Banquet held in the Palace of Westminster.
After which he immediately picks up the reins at The Midland from his departing mentor Simon Rogan. Adam Reid at The French is this East Manchester lad’s mega opportunity to define his own culinary identity.
Whether the continued absence of Michelin recognition is the reason for Rogan’s shock decision, three years into a a five year contract, to concentrate instead on his starred L’Enclume, Cartmel and Fera at Claridges in London is now irrelevant. The sorcerer is gone, long live the apprentice. We just hope Adam keeps together the team that scooped Best Front of House at the recent Manchester Food and Drink Awards. Robert Taylor, head chef of The French’s sister restaurant in The Midland, Mr Cooper’s House and Garden, is expected to remain.
The dishes that saw the 31-year-old chef through to the cook-off against seven other GBM regional finalists has been wowing lunchtime customers at The French – in particular his spectacular ‘Golden Empire’ dessert (above), stewed Empire Apple with hazelnut crumble, meadowsweet custard and golden candy apples. The veteran judging panel of critic Matthew Fort, doyenne of British cookery Prue Leith and acclaimed restaurateur Oliver Peyton all gave this dish a perfect 10.
Reid says of his ‘name on the door’ elevation at The French: “This is a huge opportunity for me to showcase my own cooking style which has been developing over the past decade. I want to make Manchester proud and ensure that The French will continue to evolve and impress its local and national customers.”
Adam Reid at The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS. 0161 236 3333, www.the-french.co.uk