The Graduate Award is a practical and theory exam which is aimed at chefs aged under 25 who are looking to test their skills, put themselves in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers.

It provides opportunities for chefs to develop culinary expertise and opens doors into experiences such as Young National Chef of the Year. Over the last few months, the Guild has been inviting chefs to enter its well-respected exam and have now whittled the entries down to create three action-packed heats.

Those who make the final will be invited on a two-day mentoring trip in July. They will enjoy food themed experiences such as a visit to Daylesford Organics as well as learning more about the tests and challenges for the last exam which will take place on Wednesday 4th September.

Founder of the Graduate Awards and vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Steve Munkley said: “This year’s entrants gave us a difficult task as so many ambitious young chefs put themselves forward. The event has attracted chefs from some of the best establishments in the UK and it’s positive to see and hear about the support they will be getting from their employers as well as learn about their future goals.

“As we look ahead to the first exam, just one month from now, I would recommend those who have made it through spend time practising their skills. It’s not an easy exam, but the rewards and opportunities for those who achieve the final make it truly worthwhile and a valuable experience for all future careers.”

Testing their skills in the southern heat at Brooklands College on Friday 14th June will be:

• Alessio Sneider, Soho House 76 Dean Street
• Rohin Geddes, The Royal Garden Hotel
• Joel Barton, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu
• Kai-le Tran, Royal Air Force Club
• Nick Grant, Launceston Place
• Madelaine Parr, Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa
• Davina Rosemary Harman, BaxterStorey
• Dominik Hornig, Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa
• Charles Budgen, Gravetye Manor
• Isabella Lake, Ugly Butterfly
• Zoe Omorodion, Brooks’s
• Inez Elfriede Roggema, Trivet

The chefs in the northern heat at Sheffield College on Tuesday 18th June are:

• Angelo Vinci, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
• Paolo Marinosci, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO
• Harry Douglas-Brown, The Black Bull
• Jamie Kennerley-Bradshaw, MOD Stafford
• Bradley Stephens, Eagle and Child
• Maizie Webster, Exclusive Chefs Academy - Fanhams Hall
• Jason Cargill, The Rookery
• Daniel Cox, Morston Hall
• Megan Beale, Beckford Inn
• Ross Boyd, Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish
• Callum O'Grady, House of Commons
• Thomas Aitken, Lainston House

Twelve pastry chefs have been invited to take part in the pastry exam at Brooklands College on Friday 14th June:

• Oliver Jeffries, Church Street Tavern
• Luke Watkins, Auberge du Lac
• Catherine Ens, Launceston Place
• Jessica McKechnie, Cameron House
• Jessica May Erskine, House of Commons
• Deimante Duobaite, The Silver Birch
• Christi Myburgh, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
• Ridhima Mhaiskar, The Dorchester
• Frewen Velroy Rodrigues, InterContinental London Park Lane
• Irene Magro, The Rosewood Hotel
• Marta Martins, The Rosewood Hotel
• Krishna Rajesh, Roe Restaurant

The Graduate Awards sponsors support this event to help the Craft Guild of Chefs to develop young culinary talent. This includes The London Meat Co, Oranka, Savoy Educational Trust, Reynolds, Meiko UK, Essential Cuisine, City and Guilds, Robert Welch, Villeroy & Boch, Continental Chef Supplies (CCS), James Knight of Mayfair, Worshipful Company of Cooks, CCE London Ltd, University of West London, Lakeland Dairies, Grande Cuisine, The Caterer, Maldon Salt, NOWAH, Wild Farmed, and Daregal Gourmet.