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 & SpaJamie Bridgett, sous chef, The Glasshouse, CreweStephen Carlisle, chef, Defence School of Transport, Beverley, YorkshireRob Hanlon, commis chef, M&S Restaurant, DublinIan Malcolm, lead chef, M& S Deli, Co AntrimMitka Mateusz, chef de partie, Yew Lodge Hotel, KegworthChris Munroe, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, LondonRositsa Nikolova, commis chef, House of Commons, LondonDeivydas Praspaliauskas, student chef, Clarion Hotel, CopenhagenPhil Steggall, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, LondonOliver Walker, demi chef de partie, MacDonald Hotel, ManchesterClaire Willett, commis chef, The Mansion House, WillingtonVincent Wood, commis chef, Wyboston Lakes Hotel, Wyboston, BedsChefs taking part in the Graduate Awards exam at the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University) include:Steve Allery, commis chef, The Dorchester CollectionRoss Bull, demi chef, Richardson HotelsWilliam Chilila, pastry demi chef de partie, Westminster Kingsway College, LondonRichard Devine, commis chef, The Elephant Restaurant, TorquayRosa Fothergill, chef de partie, Hand Picked HotelsWayne Hutchinson, chef de partie, Richardson HotelsBen Murphy, commis cuisiner, Pierre Koffmann @ The BerkeleyConnor Jones, commis chef, Brend HotelsChris Paruzel, chef de partie, Brend HotelsNeeraj Prabhu, chef de partieMark Tuttiet, chef, The Dorchester CollectionMichael Thompson, commis chefMichael Tweedie, chef de partie, Lucknam Park, WiltshireThe 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.Words: Sheila Eggleston