A Southampton chef has been named as a finalist in a national culinary competition.
Adam Duebel, head chef at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl, is one of five finalists in Kraft Heinz’s first national cooking contest.
The competition aims to celebrate and support independent chefs throughout the UK.
The finalists will be mentored by James Cochran, the winner of Great British Menu, before competing in a live cook-off at Mission Kitchen on Monday.
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The winner will be crowned “Master of the Menu 2025” and will receive a £2,000 cash prize, £2,000 worth of Heinz products, national PR exposure, and the opportunity to co-host an exclusive supper club with James Cochran.
Adam has been head chef at the Utilita Bowl for 12 years, cooking for international sports stars, major events, and corporate functions.
His competition dish is a combination of pork and vegetable spring rolls with sesame rice and salad, and he was inspired to create the dish by the energy of Asian street food markets.
The dish is topped off with Heinz sticky Korean barbecue sauce and Heinz professional mayonnaise.
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Adam said: “I entered Menu Masters to push myself and raise my profile, but also to inspire the younger chefs in my team to chase opportunities, even when they feel daunting.
“Working abroad opened my eyes to new cultures, flavours, and ways of thinking, and it taught me that growth comes from the moments we least expect.
“The failures along the way have been tough, sometimes even embarrassing, but they’ve also been my greatest teachers.”
Adam said that every setback he has ever faced in those “embarrassing” moments has “shaped the chef” he is today.
He continued: “I’m genuinely excited to be part of this journey with Heinz, a brand that represents quality, creativity, and a bit of fun.”
“It taught me that growth comes from the moments we least expect.
“The failures along the way have been tough, sometimes even embarrassing, but they’ve also been my greatest teachers.
“I’m genuinely excited to be part of this journey with Heinz, a brand that represents quality, creativity, and a bit of fun.”
He will compete on October 27 against four other chefs from across the UK.
Dining and Cooking