Craft Guild vice president Steve Munkley, who pioneered the exams back in 2003, said he was delighted with the increased number of chefs taking part. The regional tests will be held at the University College Birmingham and the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University) simultaneously on Thursday, June 30, where a mix of chefs from students and commis chefs to chef de partie and sous chefs will come together to be tested on their knowledge and skills. The regional heats will examine their practical skills in butchery and fishmongery, plus their flair in devising a main course for four from the ingredients in a mystery basket, as well as the preparation of a pastry dish. Chefs taking part in the Graduate Awards exams at the University College Birmingham include: Daniel Beech, chef de partie, Simon Radley@The Chester Grosvenor & Spa Jamie Bridgett, sous chef, The Glasshouse, Crewe Stephen Carlisle, chef, Defence School of Transport, Beverley, Yorkshire Rob Hanlon, commis chef, M&S Restaurant, Dublin Ian Malcolm, lead chef, M& S Deli, Co Antrim Mitka Mateusz, chef de partie, Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth Chris Munroe, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, London Rositsa Nikolova, commis chef, House of Commons, London Deivydas Praspaliauskas, student chef, Clarion Hotel, Copenhagen Phil Steggall, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, London Oliver Walker, demi chef de partie, MacDonald Hotel, Manchester Claire Willett, commis chef, The Mansion House, Willington Vincent Wood, commis chef, Wyboston Lakes Hotel, Wyboston, Beds Chefs taking part in the Graduate Awards exam at the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University) include: Steve Allery, commis chef, The Dorchester Collection Ross Bull, demi chef, Richardson Hotels William Chilila, pastry demi chef de partie, Westminster Kingsway College, London Richard Devine, commis chef, The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay Rosa Fothergill, chef de partie, Hand Picked Hotels Wayne Hutchinson, chef de partie, Richardson Hotels Ben Murphy, commis cuisiner, Pierre Koffmann @ The Berkeley Connor Jones, commis chef, Brend Hotels Chris Paruzel, chef de partie, Brend Hotels Neeraj Prabhu, chef de partie Mark Tuttiet, chef, The Dorchester Collection Michael Thompson, commis chef Michael Tweedie, chef de partie, Lucknam Park, Wiltshire The final of the Graduate Award exams will take place at Westminster Kingsway College in London on September 1. The results will be announced at the Graduate Awards luncheon at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, on September 6.