The winners of the 2014 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards were announced at the annual gala dinner at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on Wednesday 4 June, attended by more than 650 guests.
Special Award for Eric Chavot
Eric Chavot, chef patron of the Michelin-starred Brasserie Chavot in the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, was acclaimed by the Guild and guests on the night as the winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Special Award, for his commitment and outstanding contribution to the British food scene.
New Concept & Innovation Chef Award goes to Polpetto
This Award recognises the ‘trendsetters’ in the industry who are bringing food, fashion and style to the fore, and Hix Restaurant, 28º-50º and Polpetto were nominated on the night to compete for guests’ votes for this award.
Videos of their concepts were screened during the course of the evening, and everyone present at the dinner was invited to vote electronically for their choice via an iPad on their table – the first time ever the Craft Guild has chosen this way to select an award winner!
Though the number or percentage of votes for each restaurant were not announced, Polpetto emerged as a popular and first winner of this prestigious award.
People’s Choice Award
A further 16 awards were presented on the night including the People’s Choice Award, which feastured four great candidates, with chef consultant Willie Pike receiving the most online votes. Pike was hailed as an inspiration for many chefs and praised for founding the Scottish chef conference, aimed at improving standards in the industry.
The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards recognises and celebrates leading lights across the industry, whether they work in a pub, fine dining restaurant, city university, military unit or in contract catering, or even as development chefs for national retailers.
The 2014 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards winners – the full list
Apprentice Chef Award – Louise Roberts, Lexington Catering
Armed Services Chef Award – LChef Laura Willison, Royal Navy
Banqueting & Event Chef Award – Ben Dutson, Sodexo Prestige Events
Chef Lecturer Award – Vincent Cottam, Westminster Kingsway College
Competition Chef Award – Ben Ford, River Island, Eurest
Concept & Innovation Award – Polpetto
Contract Catering Chef Award – Peter Joyner, Elior UK
Cost Sector Chef Award – Glyn Greenow, Infantry Battle School, Sodexo
Development Chef Award – Sanjay Sighat, The Authentic Food Company
Ethnic Chef Award – Raju Ramachandran, Cinnamon Soho
New Restaurant of the Year Award – Gymkhana
Pastry Chef Award – Martin Powell, RAC Club
People’s Choice Award – Willie Pike, chef consultant
Pub Restaurant Chef Award – Andrew Pern, The Star Inn
Restaurant Chef Award – Paul Kitching, 21212
Young Chef Award – Thomas Lawson, Rafters Restaurant
Special Award – Eric Chavot