Andrew Bennett, chairman of the Craft
Guild of Chefs said: “As the leading chefs’ organisation, we
acknowledge remarkable talent across
the UK and beyond, and applaud the work our chefs do. Whether they work in public sector catering, pubs or restaurants. We look forward to an evening of celebrating culinary excellence.

“Every year it is a challenging process for our judges to choose from so many impressive award entries. Each of the finalists on this years’ shortlist proved to represent a unique set of culinary talents.”

A total of 17 awards will be presented on the night, including best restaurant chef, apprentice chef and new restaurant of the year. Previous winners of Craft Guild of Chef awards include Marco Pierre White, Alain Ducasse and James Martin.

The innovation award will be voted for by the guests and announced on the night. This special award will be reserved for someone who the Craft Guild of Chefs believes has made an outstanding contribution to the industry. 

This year Craft Guild of Chefs has introduced a new award, Chef’s favourite Branded Group where the winner will have demonstrated an original menu and consistently high food quality.   

All finalists of the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards will be given a complimentary ticket to attend this year’s Craft Guild of Chefs, Universal Cookery and Food Festival (UCFF), taking place on Tuesday 25 June 2019 at Farrington Oils in Northamptonshire.

The full list of finalists are:

Apprentice Chef Award

Ethan Cleary, The Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

Patrycia Gora, Sodexo


Paige Hill, Royal Garden Hotel


Ben Jacob, Gatwick Airport

Armed Services Chef Award

Christopher Beavis, Royal Air Force


Angus Campbell, Royal Logistics Corps

Cpl David Davey-Smith, Royal Air Force


Stephen Stokoe, Royal Navy

Banqueting and Event Chef Award


Gemma Amor, Sodexo, Ascot Racecourse


Brian Canale, Heritage Portfolio


Tom Parry, Levy UK

Chef Lecturer Award


Gregg Brown, University of West London


Andrea Ruff, The Claire Clarke Academy


Len Unwin, The Sheffield College


Chef’s Favourite Branded Restaurant


Bills Restaurants

Cote Brasserie


Franco Manca


Leon Restaurants


Miller & Carter


Wagamama


Yo! Sushi


Competition Chef Award


Cpl Ian Mark, Royal Air Force


Cpl Stefan Sewell, Royal Air Force


Graham Singer, ESS Support Services Worldwide

Contract Catering Chef Award


Paul Connolly, Amadeus


James Larkins, Compass Group


Adam Thomason, Restaurant Associates

Development Chef Award


David Humphreys, Tillery Valley Foods


Danny Silcock, Brakes


Laurence Tottingham, Oliver Kay, part of Bidfresh

Innovation Award


Will Bowlby, Kricket

Andrew Clarke, St Leonards Restaurant

Andrew Wong, Kyms Restaurant


New Restaurant of the Year Award

Alex Bond, Alchemilla Restaurant

Tom Brown, Cornerstone


Tomos Parry, Brat Restaurant


Pastry Chef Award


Martin Dockett, Rhockett


Clarisse Flon, Cafe Forty One


Sarah Frankland, Penny Hill Park Hotel


People’s Choice Award


Murray Chapman, First Contact Chefs


David Croft, Ex Chef, Disability Campaigner and Author

Scott Whiteing, Genuine Dining Company

Pub Restaurant Chef Award


Leigh Evans, Methuen Arms


Robert Taylor, The Compasses Inn


Dave Wall, The Unruly Pig


Public Sector Chef Award


Steven Cross, Park Community School


Ryan Hopper, ESS Defence

Restaurant Chef Award


Jean-Philippe Blondet, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

Pascal Canevet, La Maison Bleue


Kuba Winkowski, The Feathered Nest Country Inn

Young Chef Award


Rick Owens, Le Manoir aux quat'Saisons


Thomas Pill, Farnham Castle


Hannah Williams, Genuine Dining Company

The Craft Guild of Chefs will present the Special Award during the awards ceremony.

For more information, please visit: www.cgcawards.co.uk