Fourteen chefs were honoured on the night, including the worthy recipient of the Craft Guild's Special Award, Philip Howard, one of the most respected chefs in the industry. Described as a "chef's chef", renowned for his distinctive modern French food, his illustrious culinary career spans more than 30 years during which time he has won a string of awards and accolades, as well as mentored and encouraged some of London's finest young chefs. This year Howard celebrates 20 years as head chef and co-owner of the Michelin starred restaurant The Square, and in the last six years both The Ledbury and Kitchen W8 that he also co-owns have two and one Michelin stars respectively. Craft Guild vice president David Mulcahy said that he captures the very essence of being the chef's chef. "While shunning the limelight, our winner also remains in the limelight by gaining accolades, nurturing talent, developing potential, encouraging and inspiring young people to enter the industry. He does this while all the time building his businesses and maintaining the highest standards." This year, he said, the Craft Guild had recognised someone who in many people's view is a great example of someone who has overcome professional and personal challenges and become an example for chefs who want to reach the very top. This year for the first time the Craft Guild announced a People's Choice Award for which seven candidates were nominated and supporters were allowed one online vote for their favourite. Its inaugural winner was John Retallick, another esteemed chef whose enormous commitment to the hospitality industry for more than 50 years saw him win the most votes from his peers. In the New Restaurant category, Pea Porridge run by Justin and Jurga Sharp in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk beat off London's finest to take the award. The independently owned establishment is an award winning restaurant well appreciated by both locals and visitors that excels in its diverse selection of local produce, which was highly praised by the judges. Now in its 18th year, the Craft Guild Awards brings together leaders in foodservice and hospitality to recognise the industry's finest chefs, caterers and restaurants, who the Craft Guild believes represent the future of its craft. The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2011 The winners Apprentice Chef Award sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland Rebecca Marshman Hilton Park Lane Hotel Banqueting & Event Chef Award sponsored by Nestlé Professional David Summerell Royal College of Physicians Competition Chef Award sponsored by Electrolux Professional Mathew Shropshall University College Birmingham Contract Catering Chef Award sponsored by Falcon Foodservice Robert Brown Eurest Services, Compass Group Cost Sector Chef Award sponsored by Lamb Weston Alan Baker-Green Compass Group UK & Ireland Development Chef Award sponsored by Discovery Foods Peter Joyner Elior UK Education Chef Award sponsored by Adande Refrigeration Ian Jaundoo Liverpool Community College Ethnic Chef Award sponsored by CCE Group Karunesh Khanna Amaya New Restaurant of the Year Award sponsored by Alliance Restaurant Insurance Pea Porridge Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Pastry Chef Award sponsored by Barry Callebaut (UK) Tal Hausen The Lanesborough Hotel Pub Restaurant Chef Award sponsored by Premier Foods Tim Bilton The Butchers Arms, Hepworth Restaurant Chef Award sponsored by Luzerne Lisa Allen Northcote Young Chef Award sponsored by Williams Refrigeration Tom Parker Northcote People's Choice Award sponsored by Dudson John Retallick Special Award sponsored by Sodexo UK Philip Howard The Square