Daniel Ayton

Daniel started in the industry at the age of eight washing up in his parents’ 120 seated restaurant.  During his school years he worked his way up through salad hand to pastry chef.  After attending south Devon College, he then joined the five starred Imperial Hotel in Torquay where most of his skills were picked up, during the gastronomic weekends he worked alongside chefs such as Pierre Larapidie of the George V, Paris and after a the rigorous selection gained a scholarship as a forte Graduate chef at the age of 22.

Whilst a graduate chef, Daniel worked for chefs such as Paul Bocuse & Gastone Lenotre and hotels such as The Grosvenor House, Park Lane {{{, Browns, Mayfair {{, The Bath Spa {{ ,The Randolph, Oxford {, Le Saint Pierre, Normandy, Hotel Des Burgues, Geneva and Paul Bocuse, Lyon, 3 Michelin.

Daniel then worked through the ranks from sous chef to executive chef, at such places as the Balmoral in Edinburgh, the Hilton in Coventry, the Newbury and Park Lane London and Powder Mills in East Sussex (2 rosettes four  years) { and the Five Lakes in Essex, England (2 rosettes one year) {{.

Passionate about food, Daniel uses every opportunity to develop his own skills, often in his spare time. He is influenced by international cuisines experienced on his travels and through working for an Indian Company (Taj) has completed an essay on ethnic and authentic food. And a dissertation looking at the Psychosocial Aspects of CŒLIAC DISEASE and how it impacts the hospitality industry; this was towards his honors degree.

As an International Culinary Arts Judge, Daniel has judged at the following salons:

Hotelympia 1996©, 1998©, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010,2012

Wessex Salon Culinaire 2009, 2010, 2011,2012

Catex Chef Ireland (WACS) 2011

Hospitality Salon Culinaire (NEC) 1995, 1997, 2011

Young Chef of the Year (Master Chefs of Great Britain) 2010

Escoffier Challenge (Academy Culinaire Francaise) 2009, 2010, 2011

Malta Kulinarja Cookery & Culinary Arts Championships. (WACS) 2011

Exercise Combined Services 2011