Liverpool’s renowned chef Paul Askew, Chef Patron and owner of The Art School Restaurant, has been honoured with the prestigious Gilbert Lefèvre Memorial Cup in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry.
The award was presented to Paul by Sue Kenyon, President of The Association Culinaire Française North-West, at The Art School Restaurant in Liverpool on Friday 6 November.
The accolade celebrates Paul’s decades of dedication to classical cooking, his commitment to maintaining the highest culinary standards and his passion for mentoring and developing the next generation of chefs across Liverpool, the UK and internationally.
As President of The Disciples Escoffier UK, Paul continues to play an influential role in promoting culinary excellence and supporting emerging talent within the hospitality industry.
Sue Kenyon, President of The Association Culinaire Française North-West, said:
“We’re delighted to award Gilbert Lefèvre Memorial Cup to Paul. This historic award recognises the work he has done developing and mentoring the next generation in the workplace, colleges and competitions regionally and nationally.
“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.”
Paul Askew expressed his pride at receiving the prestigious honour, reflecting on the influence of Gilbert Lefèvre and the importance of preserving the traditions of classical cuisine.
Paul said:
“I’m tremendously proud of this huge honour from The Association Culinaire Française North-West and it’s very humbling to receive it.
“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 Gilbert Lefèvre Memorial Cup recognises influential figures who have made a lasting impact on the hospitality industry.
Gilbert Lefèvre was a pioneering chef whose work at The French restaurant at The Midland Hotel in Manchester helped transform fine dining across the North-West during the 1960s and 1970s.
Joining the kitchen in 1962, Gilbert introduced a new approach to developing young culinary talent, training apprentices and creating opportunities for working-class chefs to build successful careers.
By the early 1970s, The French had established itself as one of the country’s leading restaurants, earning recognition in the first Michelin Guide covering British restaurants in 1974.
His commitment to classical cooking, innovation and training helped shape the future of fine dining in the region and inspired generations of chefs, including Paul Askew.
Founded 49 years ago, The Association Culinaire Française North-West provides professional networking and development opportunities for chefs working in hospitality and catering colleges.
The wider Association Culinaire Française was established in 1883 by Swiss chef Joseph Favre and now has approximately 1,500 members worldwide. The North-West association will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.
For Paul, the award also represents a personal connection to the culinary pioneers who inspired his own career.
Influenced by Gilbert Lefèvre and the legendary Roux Brothers, Paul developed a passion for classical French cuisine that would eventually lead him to Liverpool, where he opened The Art School Restaurant in 2014.
Since then, he has become one of the city’s most respected culinary figures, continuing to champion Liverpool’s food scene through The Art School and Barnacle Restaurant and Bar.
Paul added:
“In my youth I read New Classic Cuisine by the Roux Brothers umpteen times. To me and so many other chefs, it’s the absolute definitive writing on classic French cuisine and a seminal work which inspired me in ways I did not think possible.
“Their influence and Gilbert’s enduring legacy guided me deeper into classical cooking, learning the standards I discovered back then which I still set for myself and all my staff today, too.
“I also impart this on the next generation of chefs I work with and train, both at The Art School and Barnacle and also culinary colleges across the UK.”
The recognition further highlights Paul’s longstanding commitment to nurturing culinary talent and his contribution to Liverpool’s thriving hospitality industry.
For more information about Paul Askew and The Art School Restaurant, visit the website.
