Welcome to the Culinary Academy
The Craft Guild of Chefs’ Culinary Academy is your key to the world of culinary competitions.
Whether you are a seasoned competitor or new to the competition scene, being part of the Culinary Academy will provide you with a real competitive edge.
“We wanted to put an infrastructure in place for people to compete at major national and international culinary events and provide them with the information they need to do so and the mentorship they’ll need to succeed.” Andy Twells, Academy Captain
Why should I join the Culinary Academy?
The Academy offers support, mentorship and training opportunities for chefs wishing to become more involved in culinary competitions. Benefits include:
- Information and advice on competing at national and international events
- Your own badge and chef’s jacket, signifying your Culinary Academy membership
- The opportunity to tap into the knowledge and experience of fellow members – experienced competitors, mentors and judges
- Both at the events themselves where they will be on hand to support you, or via an online Q&A forum for pre-competition
The Academy offers a structure through which chefs can build and develop their competitive CVs, including a system of awards recognising different levels of skill and competitive excellence.
Novice members can progress through these levels following competitive attainment, while experienced competitors can be recognised and rewarded for their competition achievements.
Membership levels include:
Junior Academy Members – under 23 years of age with limited competitive experience
Academy Member – over 23 years of age and is competing or is about to compete
Fellow of the Academy – competing at international level, e.g. World Cup and Culinary Olympics, and is committed to mentorship of Academy members
Master of the Academy – has achieved Gold at international events and is committed to mentorship of Academy members
The Academy offers experienced chefs the chance to give something back to the next generation while utilising their skills through mentorship and training. The Academy hosts an annual mentorship event for it members, with workshops on competitive techniques and skill demonstrations, plus the chance to meet judges and past competition winners to learn the secrets of competitive success
Culinary Academy Panel:
Andy Twells – Patisserie
Mark Hill – Cold Work
Bob Brown – Hot Live & Cold Work
Matt Owens – Patisserie
Simon Stocker – Cold Work & Hot Live
Vince Cottam – Cold work
Bernhard Engelhardt – Cold Work & Hot Live
Christopher Basten – Hot Live
Dennis Mwakulua – Hot live
How can I become a member?
Membership of the Culinary Academy is free to Craft Guild members.
All you need to do is complete the application form, detailing your competition experience to date and indicating any competitions you are particularly interested in.
You will then receive an Academy membership number and will be given your own chef’s jacket bearing the Culinary Academy badge when you compete.
