Now celebrating its 40th year, the Catey’s took place in a ceremony in London in front of more than 1,000 industry leading lights.

Steve founded the Graduate Awards in 2003 as he wanted to provide chefs in the early stages of their career with the opportunity to develop the skills they learnt at college and refine them in the workplace.

Gary Jones, former executive chef at Le Manoir, said: “I have always found that testing young chefs in a practical exam raises skills to an accelerated level. The individuals benefit and get themselves motivated and promoted to their next position. I have found an attitude shift in so many that take up the challenge of the Graduate Awards.

"They want to prove themselves and compete with other young chefs to test their ability and show their peers and industry that they are on the right track. Being awarded a Graduate Award has great value, not only to themselves, but to their brigades and their families.

"Steve has ensured that the Graduate Awards give aspiring young chefs an attainable, reachable target that builds on their confidence levels, self-esteem and wellbeing. I say it’s attainable, but they must work seriously hard at it to reach the high-level which Steve has set.”

Over the last two decades, the Guild has seen an incredible 93 chefs achieve the pass mark and join an impressive list of names in the Graduate Awards ‘hall of fame’. Former achievers of the award include Sophie Wright, Luke Selby and Ruth Hansom who have all gone on to have successful culinary careers.

The Graduate Awards tasks change each year meaning chefs are exposed to a variety of skills, and the award is so coveted many chefs come back year after year in order to achieve it. Steve was noted for his dedication to the young chefs who go through the training process with him, many of which he continues to mentor and support throughout the next stages of their carer and beyond.

Speaking about the award, Steve commented: “Winning this award means so much for the team behind the Graduate Awards. It’s not just about me, its everybody who supports it and makes it happen, from the committee, to the sponsors, to the judges and the chefs themselves. It’s fantastic to be recognised in this way and I’m extremely proud of the chefs who come through the process.”

In the 2023 edition of the competition, 12 chefs will be heading to the final of the Graduate Awards after Kitchen and Pastry heats took place in Watford and Sheffield last month. This year’s final taking place on 1st September 2023.

One of the judges Andrew Boer added: “Steve has demonstrated a passion and a consistent commitment to the Kitchen Graduate Awards for two decades, which is an astonishing feat for any professional. His involvement has affected not only the lives of the amazing chefs that he has produced but also, through them, the industry as a whole."