Askew was given the award in recognition of his contribution to the hospitality industry, his ongoing dedication to training the next generation of chefs and his devotion to classical cooking made over many decades in Liverpool, the UK and globally.
The chef was presented the award by Sue Kenyon, president of The Association Culinaire Française North West. “This historic award recognises the work he has done developing and mentoring the next generation in the workplace, colleges and competitions regionally and nationally,” she says.
“We see his ongoing work and commitment internationally, including as President Of The Disciples Escoffier UK, shows his love of food culture development in our great industry. This includes the Jeune Talents Escoffier, an international competition celebrating the young chefs and dining service professionals of 27 member countries, with the final taking place in Normandy 2028. We look forward to working together and supporting each other in the future.”
Gilbert Lefèvre was the chef behind The French’s success at The Midland in Manchester in the 1970s. He joined the kitchen in 1962 and set out to do away with his inherited ‘old boy’ staff and instead train a new legion of trainee chefs and young apprentices, which helped The French be listed in the first ever Michelin Guide for restaurants in 1974.
The Gilbert Lefèvre Memorial Cup was created in his honour to recognise the efforts of pivotal figures in hospitality.
“I’m tremendously proud of this huge honour from The Association Culinaire Française North-West and it’s very humbling to receive it,” says Askew.
“As a chef I try not to think of accolades and awards, I instead dedicate myself to setting the highest standards and maintaining them for all my staff and to the customers we serve. Gilbert was one of a small group of inspirational chefs back in the 1970s who formed the foundations of fine-dining and classical cooking in the UK that we know today. So to be recognised by Sue and her team in this way emboldens my passion even further for supporting our wonderful industry, and to celebrate the legacy of Gilbert.”
The Association Culinaire Française North West celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2027.