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Back for a second year, our Chair of Pastry Examiners will be Sarah Frankland, executive chef at Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa. She has some exciting plans for this year’s brief and is looking forward to supporting young pastry chefs through the process. Ben Murphy, former National Chef of the Year winner, will continue his role as Chair of the Kitchen Graduate Award.

This year marks an exciting development with the introduction of a new scheme designed to provide entrants with additional support and guidance throughout the process. Nine former Graduate Awards achievers will be on-hand throughout the year to answer questions for those considering entering and provide guidance for those who get to the heats and final exams.

The Graduate Awards is a unique event, as it’s an exam not a competition and there’s no limit on the number of chefs who can pass each year. It provides young chefs in the workplace with so many opportunities to test their skills, learn from peers, make new contacts and push themselves into the spotlight. Semi-finalists and finalists will undertake a series of challenges including a paper-based exam followed by tasks in the kitchen.

The award continues to grow, and the Guild is inviting all chefs who will be aged under 25 on the 1st of September 2025 to enter. Those who achieve the Kitchen Award will be invited to compete in the Young National Chef of the Year competition in 2026 whilst pastry achievers will be invited on an overseas trip.

To enter the Graduate Awards, chefs simply need to complete the online entry form before the deadline on Monday 31st March 2025.

Steve Munkley founded these awards in 2002 after recognising a gap in the industry for chefs to challenge and develop their culinary skills once they left college. He works alongside a dedicated committee to make this event a positive and memorable experience for every chef who enters. This includes a two-day mentor experience for all finalists in the summer. Look out for more details of this year’s trip coming soon.

The Graduate Awards wouldn’t be possible without its impressive list of sponsors who are all keen to help the Guild 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, James Knight of Mayfair, Worshipful Company of Cooks, CCE London Ltd, University of West London, Lakeland Dairies, Grande Cuisine, The Caterer, Maldon Salt, NOWAH, Daregal Gourmet, TUGO, HIT Training and Belazu.

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