Steve, who now runs his own chef consultancy, has been the director of the Guild’s Graduate Awards scheme, which is an annual awards programme for young chefs under the age of 25.

It aims to test their skills through practical and theory exams, including mystery basket challenges, butchery, and classic recipes, with kitchen and pastry categories, offering development opportunities, industry recognition, and pathways to other major competitions like the Young National Chef of the Year.

Speaking to The Caterer, Munkley said: "This is an amazing honour, one that I never thought I would ever receive, but I am extremely proud to have been recognised. My career has given me so much, so mentoring and guiding young chefs into this marvellous industry, just seemed to be the natural thing to do. With the help of my family, colleagues and the Craft Guild of Chefs I have been able to influence many young lives."

A former chair of the Guild, Steve is also chef director of the International Salon Culinaire at the HRC, which in 2026 will run from 30th March until 1st April at ExCeL. Before striking out on his own he was executive chef at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London for 25 years.

Andrew Green, chief executive of the Craft Guild of Chefs added: “It is with great pleasure that one of our vice presidents Steve Munkley has been awarded an MBE in the Kings New Years Honours list. Given for services to the hospitality industry over many years, and for the work that he has undertaken in creating and running the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards programme for young and inspiring chefs.”