Twenty young working chefs and college students are celebrating after receiving the news that they are on their way to the semi-finals of the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2015.
Getting through the paper entry of the awards, designed to really test a chef’s skills and get them noticed in the industry, is no mean feat and semi-finalists will need to give everything they’ve got to impress a judging panel of top chefs at the next stage, a regional cooking test on Friday 5 June.
Taking place at Sheffield College and University of West London, depending on each chef’s location, the semi-final is the chance to prove they have taken what they learnt in training to the next level.
Those that pass will then be invited to a mentor day, complete with masterclasses with industry greats and gastronomic treats in the capital, to prepare them for the final’s butchery and fishmongery tests, a mystery basket challenge and the creation of a classic main and dessert.
To follow in the footsteps of the likes of Richard Edwards, executive chef at Lords of the Manor – who, this year, earned his first Michelin star – they must score 85% to become a graduate.
The 20 semi-finalists
- Laurel Taylor, Royal Garden Hotel
- Nicholas Cottrell, Dolphin House Brazzerie
- Reece Cosier, The Landmark London
- Alex Murtagh, The Landmark London
- Olivia Baggley, Wiltons
- Andrew Potter, The Dairy
- Grainne Kerr, Browns Restaurant
- Liam Argyle, Saunton Sands Hotel
- Drew Snaith, Brunswick House
- Louise Roberts, Lexington Catering
- Miranda Lucien-Johnson, Adam Handling at Caxton
- Josie Thompson, Westminster Kingsway College
- Christopher Davis, Westminster Kingsway College
- Daniel Catalano, The White Horse Pub
- Andrew Hockley, Queenwood Golf Club
- Aaron Duffy, Grants Restaurant
- Charlie Aggett, Hartwell House Hotel
- James Toth, The Cross at Kenilworth
- Chloe Fella, Food Academy
- James Carpenter, Food Academy
Important Dates
- Regional cooking test – 5th June (Sheffield College and University of West London)
- Mentor day for finalists – w/c 13th July
- Final exam – 27th August (Birmingham University College)
- Cocktail presentation evening – 4th September (The Lancaster London)
For more information click here
Twitter @Craft_Guild #CGCGradAwards