Introduction
Established in 1885 under its former name of the Cookery and Food Association, the Craft Guild of Chefs has developed into the leading Chefs’ Association in the UK and has many members worldwide. Our members come from all aspects of the foodservice and hospitality sectors working in a wide variety of positions from students and trainees to top management. No other association boasts such a broad and experienced membership. Aligned to our mission, the Craft Guild of Chefs is committed to inspiring and developing the next generation of chefs into innovative and creative professionals, so we are pleased to officially launch the annual Young Chef Scholarship.
This scholarship will provide funding of up to £5000 to the successful applicant in order to support access to opportunities to specifically enhance their culinary education and development. Eligible activities for the use of this scholarship will include:
- Education Programmes/certifications (College or University based)
- Work experience/Internship opportunities (UK or internationally)
- Completion of independent specialised programmes
- Purchase of specialist culinary equipment
- Any other culinary education related programmes/activities
Scholarship Funds
Upon award of the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef Scholarship, the successful applicant will be entitled to up to £5000 towards the cost of the requested educational activity. All costs and expenses related to the completion of the approved educational activity will be paid by the Craft Guild of Chefs up to the value of £5000. Payments will be made directly from the Craft Guild of Chefs to the respective suppliers upon receipt of a valid invoice. Monies will be available for 12 months from the announcement of the successful young chef. Should there be any remaining monies from the £5000 scholarship, this will be returned to the Craft Guild of Chefs Education Fund to benefit further young chefs within the next rounds of the Young Chef Scholarship.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Young Chefs Scholarship applicants must meet the eligibility criteria below:
- Aged 18 - 25 years of age as at 31st December 2024
- Hold a valid UK Passport
- Currently employed by a recognised catering establishment based in the UK
Application will open from 21st October 2025
To apply for the Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef Scholarship, the details below must be submitted online here . Applications submitted after the closing date of 13th December cannot be accepted.
- Applicants CV to date
- A request for Youth Chef Scholarship detailing:
- Why you should be considered for the award of a Young Chef Scholarship
- Intended use of the scholarship and full details and timeline of proposed activities
- Expected outcome from completion of proposed activity
- Budget detailing the actual costs and any associated expenses related to completion of the requested activity
- Professional reference from a senior chef, please include their contact details.
Application Process
Stage 1
Applicants to submit their full applications as detailed above here by no later than 13th Dec 2024. Please note that incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Should you have any questions concerning your application please call head office on 0208 948 3870.
Stage 2
All applications will be reviewed by the Young Chef Scholarship Trustees, and 3 applicants will be shortlisted for the final phase. These 3 shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email by 17th January 2025. Should you not be contacted by 18th January 2025, unfortunately on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. Please note that due to the anticipated volume of applications we will not be able to provide individual feedback but fully encourage you to reapply for the next round of the annual Young Chef Scholarship.
Stage 3
The final 3 shortlisted candidates will be invited to Westminster Kingsway College on 12th February 2025 to present in person on the requested use of the Young Chef Scholarship, and to take some final questions from the Trustees. The successful candidate to receive the Young Chef Scholarship will be announced on 18th February 2025.
Reasonable travel expenses to attend the final stage in London will be reimbursed to the candidates by the Craft Guild of Chefs, and lunch on the day will be provided.
Young Chef Scholarship Trustees
These will consist of:
- Chairman of the scholarship programme picked from the Vice Presidents
- The outgoing National Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs
- Chairman of the Vice Presidents who would also be a past Chairman
- CEO of the Craft Guild of Chefs.
Additional detail and important information
- Applicants must work as a chef/cook in a catering establishment in the UK which could be in any sector of the hospitality industry, public or private sector.
- Applicants must be 25 years of age or under on 31st Dec 2024.
- Applicants must hold a UK Passport and provide photocopies with the application. Any travel arrangement funding would need to start from the UK.
- The information you provide about yourself and your project needs to convince the Trustee’s that the funds will greatly enhance your learnings, with tangible outcomes.
- We recommend you complete clear and precise research into your chosen project before putting in your application. It can be for a full time or part time course which will give you new or enhanced skill sets, to completing a Stage or multiple Stages with renowned chefs who are an expert in their field. Or for the purchase of a piece or pieces of personal equipment you feel would make a difference to your education. The document you provide must be information driven. Stating you would just like to work with a chef would not be sufficient.
- Your documentation must also give a clear understanding to the Trustees of the outcomes you expect from the scholarship funds.
- You should provide a spreadsheet of costs which needs to be as accurate as possible at the time of application. Funds will only be paid direct to the nominated supplier of services which can be in advance of receiving them if necessary.
- All entrants agree to the Guild holding their details for the process of the application and the 3 finalists where claiming expenses for longer to meet with GDPR guidelines.
- If selected for the final interview process, you’ll be requested to attend a meeting in London where you’ll present to the Trustees on your project. This presentation can be delivered electronically or paper based. Expect the interview panel to ask questions.
- Any reasonable expenses to attend this meeting will be reimbursed and a lunch provided following the process.
- Candidates will be informed of the outcome on the day. Once announced the winner will be given a formal agreement to sign agreeing to spend the funds on the educational project submitted.
- The successful candidate will have 12 months to take up the funds and keep the Trustees periodically informed of progress via the Guild head office with digital photography.
- In entering this scholarship, the short-listed candidates give permission for the Guild’s PR and social media teams to create articles and posts about them relating to the award on all its mediums.
- Within 3 months of completion of the candidate’s project, a written report [minimum 500 words] with digital photography is required.