Our Head Chef James goes head to head in the ‘Croqueta Challenge 2023’

Who doesn’t love a croqueta, eh? or crocchette for Italians! Celebrating this beloved snack, our Head Chef James recently took part in the ‘Croqueta Challenge 2023′ hosted by restaurant Salt Yard Group, where some of London’s best restaurants went head to head to find the greatest croqueta in the capital.

This year’s challenge was a celebration of six years of unearthing the best croquetas. This year there were two individual heats, in which our Head Chef James sailed through with his famous rabbit crocchette with wild garlic emulsion, to reach the finals, where they crowned the winner on Tuesday 6th June.

Offering some of the most innovative and exciting chefs and restaurants across London an opportunity to show off their croquetas. James was up against some of London’s most talented chefs and restaurants. The restaurants participating in the Final were Salt Yard Borough, Salt Yard Fitzrovia, Nanny Bill’s, Cin Cin Fitzrovia, The Collab/ Paul Human & Signature Brew , Bar Douro, Bibo/ Mondrian Shoreditch.

All croquetas entered were judged by a panel of respected palates responsible for crowning this year’s winning croqueta. This years judges were Catherine Hanley, David Ellis and Hannah Evans from the industry and the public also put them to the test.

The hosts Salt Yard Borough took home the crown with their prawn croqueta with prawn aioli & Sicilian prawn tartare.

Although James and our famous rabbit crocchette didn’t win the title it went down a storm with customers and the judges. Well done James! And if you haven’t tried our rabbit crocchette yet keep your eyes peeled for when it appears next on our menu.