2013 saw the “best bunch of finalists ever”: what will the Graduate Awards see for 2014?
Chefs who are 23 or under and have what it takes to impress some of the UK’s culinary experts should download an entry form and send their entries to the Guild.
Culinary challenges to pass
Successful candidates will have to pass a number of culinary challenges in a high pressured environment and must achieve a score of 85% if they reach the final exam. Josh Bingham from Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons is no stranger to this pressure. Josh was last year’s Highest Graduate Achiever with a fantastic score of 90%.
He said “I entered because it felt the right time to test myself against chefs of a similar level whilst pushing myself to learn more and become a better chef. It was great to meet like minded people and make new contacts during a fun, yet challenging, experience. Constructive feedback, in events like this, is the best way to learn and develop as a chef and a person.”
Praising Josh and last year’s finalists, awards organiser and Craft Guild vice president, Steve Munkley said “In 2013 our Chairman of examiners, Paul Gayler MBE said he was “astounded” at the standard and there wasn’t a single dish he couldn’t have served up to clients. We’re all really looking forward to seeing the 2014 entries.
“It’s a tough programme but these awards can really push chefs up the career ladder. Finalists will learn from some of the best chefs in the country and if successful will be able to add the prestigious title to their CV. I believe the mentor day was the main reason for last year’s high standard as every young chef got so much out of it. We’re delighted this is back for 2014.”
Entries by 10 May
Chefs have until May 10th to submit their paper entries, after which a select few will be invited to take part in a regional cooking test. These will take place on June 11th at Sheffield College and Cardinal Wiseman School Greenford. On August 28th the final exam takes place at University College Birmingham and the results will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on September 5th at the Landmark Hotel.
As well as the Graduate certificates and Highest Achiever Award, there is also an Employer’s Award for Excellence in Training. The Craft Guild is calling for employers who have outstanding young chefs in their kitchen to encourage them to enter.
AAK, CCS, City and Guilds, Essential Cuisine, Gram, James Knight of Mayfair, Landmark Hotel, Mars Foodservice (Uncle Bens), Meiko, MKN, Reynolds, Robert Welch, Savoy Educational Trust, The London Meat Company, Villeroy and Boch, and Warner Leisure are all sponsoring this year’s Graduate Awards.
To enter the Graduate Awards visit www.craftguildofchefs.org for an entry form. For more information, email enquiries@craftguildofchefs.org or call 0208 948 3870.