2024 Sustainability Excellence Award winner
4th February 2025

Craft Guild of Chefs Awards to celebrate culinary excellence

Written by: Edward Waddell
The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, which will take place on Monday 16th June at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, aim to celebrate culinary excellence in the UK.

The awards are seen as the chefs’ Oscars recognising the exceptional talent across the whole of the UK's chef industry from Michelin star restaurants to catering colleges. Nominations are open for 14 of the 18 categories and close on Friday 14th February 2025.

The Sustainability Excellence Award has been revised for 2025. This award recognises impactful food-led initiatives across all sectors in providing a sustainable future within the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Nominations for the Public Sector Chef Award are sought from the high-volume catering arena including hospitals, prisons, education, military, public and social services and in-house staff restaurants.  

The Culinary Hero Award recognises a chef who in addition to demonstrating the highest professional standards, has gone the extra mile to support their team, community or their industry in a clear and unique way.

Nominees for the Young Chef Award should be under the age of 23 years on 31st May 2025 and have already shown a passion for the industry, excelling in their technical skills, developing a wide knowledge base, flair and commitment for their chosen path. 

The 14 categories available for nomination include:

  • Apprentice Chef Award
  • Banqueting & Event Chef Award
  • Chef Lecturer Award
  • Competition Chef Award
  • Contract Catering Chef Award
  • Culinary Hero Award
  • Development Chef Award
  • Pastry Chef Award
  • Pub Restaurant Chef Award
  • Public Sector Chef Award
  • Restaurant Chef Award
  • Street Food Chef Award
  • Sustainability Excellence Award
  • Young Chef Award

Mark Reynolds, chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “Whether you want to recognise a colleague, your team or organisation, or you wish to nominate yourself, we want to hear from you. We look forward to receiving your nominations, the entry deadline is Friday 14th February 2025.”

There are four awards that don’t require nominations:

  • Accredited College Restaurant of the Year Award
  • New Restaurant of the Year Award
  • Outstanding Support of Culinary Excellence Award
  • Special Award

The 2025 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards are sponsored by Bonemasters; Clean Event Services; Compass Group; Hotel, Restaurant & Catering; Lakeland Dairies; Pizza SI; Rational; Tugo; Unox and Williams.