Summer came and went all so quick again. But the good news was that hotels reported a rise in occupancy levels as did restaurants with bookings, so hopefully that’s a great sign for the future. The frail nature of our business in this financial climate still has its uncertainties but the belief is that we will all pull through. It is one of the reasons that we as ever, rely on the fantastic support we receive from our Business Partners.

For our Business Partner lunch this year we are sailing down the Thames. The chosen day is Friday, November 5, and we aim to take our partners aboard the Naticia to experience the delicious food that Bateaux London’s executive chef Ben Dutson and his brigade will be offering. This is where we will show our Business Partners that we, as the leading industry association, provide valuable initiatives throughout the industry and we can talk about the great work the Guild has been involved in.

This year sees the Craft Guild National Chef of the Year final. The event takes place at the Restaurant Show and is as ever going to be something special, with a new format giving the chance for a wider range of cuisines to be brought to the table. We are really going to see some of the best chefs around pitting their wits against each other. The competition takes place on Monday, October 11, along with the very first Junior Chef of the Year.

It would be really great to see as many as are able to attend the show to support the competition and also take time to visit the Craft Guild stand, where you can update us with any contact details so that we are able to keep our database up to date. This is such a vital link to our members.

Recently we experienced the final of the Graduate Awards where we saw four young chefs passing the toughest of tests. These chefs really are our tomorrow, and the programme that has now been running for a few years tests their kills with theory and practical skills. The Royal Garden Hotel provided a great lunch and for that our thanks go to Steve Munkley and his team.

Back in July, we presented the Craft Guild Awards. For a whole 17 years we have been running this event and it was a real delight, with some fantastic chefs winning in toughly judged categories. There was a real buzz around the room all night, with everyone wanting to know who was winning what, and it was great to see the legendary Pierre Koffmann being given the Special Award for being at the pinnacle of his profession for so many years – Pierre is ‘just pure magic’.

But now Fergus Martin, our Culinary Academy team manager, is busy selecting and preparing a team to go to the Culinary World Cup where I know he and the team will really push hard to compete, but more so where the younger chefs will be able watch and learn from the more experienced members. We all wish them all well with their endeavours.

All it remains for me to do is wish you all well and look forward to seeing and meeting many of you at the Restaurant Show and other events over the coming months.

Andrew Green
National Chairman
Craft Guild of Chefs