Craft Guild AGM recognises loyal supporters

Two of the Craft Guild's most loyal supporters were given top honours at the Craft Guild of Chefs Annual General Meeting awards ceremony held on Sunday 5th April.

The Guild's president, Master of the Royal Household Air Vice Marshall David Walker, presented John Retallick with the Order of Merit – the first time the Craft Guild of Chefs has ever given this prestigious award, and the London Division's chair Cam Faherty was presented with the Vice Presidents' Special Achievement Award.

Guild chairman Nick Vadis said that Retallick is highly respected throughout the industry and is one of the most recognised faces in the Guild. "His boundless work and dedication not only to the Craft Guild of Chefs but also to the industry as a whole is inspiring, by supporting and encouraging young talent with his pearls of wisdom. He is the driving force behind many events and national salons and will always give his time freely."

Previously Retallick had presented the Special Achievement Award on behalf of the Presidents' Council to Faherty for his continual loyal support to the Guild throughout the UK and the wealth of experience he offers to everyone.

Other deserving awards included the accolades for the Culinary Academy team for the sterling work in the competition arena.

Vadis welcomed everyone to the event, which for the first time was held at the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood, London, and highlighted the massive achievements the Guild has accomplished over the past year. These included the glories achieved by the academy at prestigious events such as the Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, Hospitality at the NEC, Wessex Salon Culinaire and the WACs challenge in Ireland, as well as the latest boost to the membership via PACE (Professional Association of Catering Education).

Vadis explained that the Guild had tabled a proposal at the 2009 AGM of PACE that all students moving into their second year on the VRQ and the Chef Diploma would be invited to join the Craft Guild at a reduced rate. "This is just one initiative that we as a committee are trying – working with PACE's colleges to reach out to the grassroots of our industry. As reported last year, our college representative Bob Brown and other committee members will be driving this in the coming year.

"It was proposed that a levy should be added to the tuition fees across all colleges in PACE. There is still some work to do on this and both myself, Bob and Martin Bates will be working towards its implementation with the 160 plus member colleges."

[Further coverage will be published in the summer issue of Stockpot]

HONOURS AND AWARDS
Bronze Medals
Mathew Shropshall
Scott Lucas
Brian Mellor
David Pell

Silver Medals
Andy Twells
Bernie Englehardt
Mike Godfrey
Martin Bates
Paul Goodfellow
Andrew Jones
Dennis Mwakalua

Gold Medals
Andrew Bennett
Matt Owens
Ian Jaundoo
David Mulcahy
Pat Watmore

Presidents' Trophy
London Marriott County Hall Hotel

Chairman's Shield
Thames Valley University

Chairman's Award
Brakes

Company Awards
Meyer Cookware
James Knight of Mayfair
CEM Group

College Awards
These awards are, in the opinion of the Vice Presidents Council, given to colleges outside the Greater London area for their work in the promotion of the Craft Guild and to catering education.

West Suffolk College, Ipswich
Henley College, Coventry
Guernsey College, Channel Islands
City College Plymouth
Brockenhurst College
Liverpool Community College

Vice Presidents' Special Achievement Award
Cam Faherty (pictured above)

Order of Merit
John Retallick (pictured)

Culinary Academy Awards
Patrons Certificates
Electrolux Professional
Gourmet Classic
Essential Cuisine
Brakes Bros

Academy Bronzes
Ben Ford
Mathew Shropshall
Fergus Martin
Natalie Culleton
Matthew Edmonds
John Fahy
Sean McNulty
Steve Wylie
Senthulkumar Adaiklaraju
Jim Bailey
Mauritzio Elephante
Jim Cumming
Juan Sanchez

Academy Awards for Olympics Erfurt 2008
Wayne Harris
Matt Owens
Michael Godfrey
Steve Wylie
Bernie Engelhardt
Dennis Mwakulua
Robbie Robertson
Natalie Culleton
Sophie Wright
Christopher Basten
Fergus Martin
Ben Ford
Lisa Mansel
Liz Bravery
Vince Cottam
Lahiru Jayasekara
James Davis
Andy Twells
Nick Vadis

Words: Sheila Eggleston

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