The Craft Guild of Chefs announces the candidates for the 2011 Graduate Awards regional heats

Twenty-six young chefs have been selected to go through to the regional heats of the 2011 Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Award examinations – the largest ever line up in its nine year history.

Craft Guild vice president Steve Munkley, who pioneered the exams back in 2003, said he was delighted with the increased number of chefs taking part.

The regional tests will be held at the University College Birmingham and the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University) simultaneously on Thursday, June 30, where a mix of chefs from students and commis chefs to chef de partie and sous chefs will come together to be tested on their knowledge and skills.

The regional heats will examine their practical skills in butchery and fishmongery, plus their flair in devising a main course for four from the ingredients in a mystery basket, as well as the preparation of a pastry dish.

Chefs taking part in the Graduate Awards exams at the University College Birmingham include:
Daniel Beech, chef de partie, Simon Radley@The Chester Grosvenor & Spa
Jamie Bridgett, sous chef, The Glasshouse, Crewe
Stephen Carlisle, chef, Defence School of Transport, Beverley, Yorkshire
Rob Hanlon, commis chef, M&S Restaurant, Dublin
Ian Malcolm, lead chef, M& S Deli, Co Antrim
Mitka Mateusz, chef de partie, Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth
Chris Munroe, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, London
Rositsa Nikolova, commis chef, House of Commons, London
Deivydas Praspaliauskas, student chef, Clarion Hotel, Copenhagen
Phil Steggall, chef de partie, The Royal Garden Hotel, London
Oliver Walker, demi chef de partie, MacDonald Hotel, Manchester
Claire Willett, commis chef, The Mansion House, Willington
Vincent Wood, commis chef, Wyboston Lakes Hotel, Wyboston, Beds

Chefs taking part in the Graduate Awards exam at the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University) include:
Steve Allery, commis chef, The Dorchester Collection
Ross Bull, demi chef, Richardson Hotels
William Chilila, pastry demi chef de partie, Westminster Kingsway College, London
Richard Devine, commis chef, The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay
Rosa Fothergill, chef de partie, Hand Picked Hotels
Wayne Hutchinson, chef de partie, Richardson Hotels
Ben Murphy, commis cuisiner, Pierre Koffmann @ The Berkeley
Connor Jones, commis chef, Brend Hotels
Chris Paruzel, chef de partie, Brend Hotels
Neeraj Prabhu, chef de partie
Mark Tuttiet, chef, The Dorchester Collection
Michael Thompson, commis chef
Michael Tweedie, chef de partie, Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

The final of the Graduate Award exams will take place at Westminster Kingsway College in London on September 1.

The results will be announced at the Graduate Awards luncheon at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, on September 6.

Words: Sheila Eggleston

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