One of 22 awards being presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane on July 1, the Chef Award is open to chefs from all sectors of the industry and will recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

With nominations now closed, the winner will also have made a major contribution through innovation in cooking techniques, styles of cuisine and understanding of culinary processes.

Craft Guild CEO Martin Bates said the beauty of the award is that it recognises a wider contribution to the trade, through significant and effective involvement in the fields of education, charity or general promotion of industry interests.

“Ultimately, the person who wins this award will be someone that epitomises what the Guild endeavours to do, namely promote the understanding, appreciation and advancement of cookery and the science of food for the good of the industry as a whole.

“On top of this, although the winner may not be an ever-present figure in their own kitchen, they will be someone that takes a strong and significant role in the day-to-day operations of an outlet or outlets. We are looking forward to finding out who this year’s stalwart will be.”

Since their inception in 1984, the Catey Awards have cast a spotlight on the industry’s highest flyers, strongest performers and hottest brands – they are a byword for quality, class and achievement. Receiving a Catey means so much because recipients are nominated, selected and rewarded by their peers to recognise their efforts in developing the hospitality scene.

For more information, visit www.cateys.com. For live updates, follow the Craft Guild of Chefs on Twitter @Craft_Guild.