Industry News07-06-25
Hilton Cambridge City Centre’s Head Chef Wins Passion For Plating 2025 Aviko MasterChef Competition in Mallorca
Hilton Cambridge City Centre’s head chef, Ermal Cani has been crowned one of the winners of the Passion For Plating 2025 Aviko MasterChef competition, showcasing extraordinary culinary creativity and skill in one of the industry's most prestigious events.Originally from Albania, chef Ermal discovered his passion for cooking after moving to the UK in 2000, transforming a hobby into a career through dedication and experience. Having worked at renowned establishments such as Hilton Hotels and Marco Pierre White restaurants, he has built a reputation for innovation and excellence. Currently, he serves as the executive head chef at Bull & Bass Restaurant, located within Hilton Cambridge City Centre, where he leads a team of 17 culinary professionals. His expertise in Mediterranean, Asian, and fusion cuisines shinesthrough in every dish, combining the finest ingredients from land and sea to create bold, mouth-watering flavors. Bull & Bass offers a diverse à la carte menu, alongside seasonal specials and its signature monthly Friday Supper Clubs, featuring Tanzanian nights, Surf & Turf, and seasonal-themed experiences, all designed to bring exciting global flavors to the heart of Cambridge.Reflecting on his journey in the competition, chef Ermal highlighted the Dish Mystery Box challenge as his personal favourite. Given a selection of eight market ingredients, he crafted a charcoal-grilled cauliflower steak with a green peppercorn sauce, accompanied by vegan Aviko gratins. The challenge required instinctive creativity and quick thinking—qualities that define his approach to culinary artistry."Creating dishes that leave a lasting impression is what drives my passion for cooking. Seeing guests enjoy and appreciate the flavours I put together is the most rewarding part of the job," said Ermal Cani, head chef, Hilton Cambridge City Centre.As part of his achievement, chef Ermal has been invited to Aviko HQ from October 14th to 16th, where he will tour their factory and gain deeper insights into their innovative food production. His remarkable success has also earned him an interview with Euronews Albania, further cementing his status as an emerging leader in the culinary industry.The Passion For Plating competition, held annually, celebrates chefs who push the boundaries of creativity and excellence in plating. With this prestigious win, chef Ermal continues to inspire the next generation of culinary artists while redefining the dining experience for his guests.Hilton Cambridge City Centre is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
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