New chairman for the Craft Guild

Andrew Green has been elected national chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, his appointment unanimously agreed by members at the Guild's AGM on Sunday, March 28.

Taking over the reins from Nick Vadis, Green, an award winning chef as well as general manager for Transport for London with contract catering giant Sodexo, said he was ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. "Each previous chairman has brought something different to the position, and the Guild as a professional body has benefited immensely from their contributions. 

"They have all brought new dimensions to the role – different, sometimes challenging and often forthright – but all done in the best interests of the Guild. I will also bring my own style.

"There will as always be tough decisions to be made along the way, ones that I and the new committee will make with the Guild's best interests in mind.

"We are still seen as the strongest and most talked about chef organisation in the UK and this is only possible with the continued help and assistance from business partners, colleagues and suppliers. We do have a brand that we can be proud of and we should not be afraid to use it where we can."

Christopher Basten, executive chef at the Marriott London County Hall Hotel, was elected to take over Green's role as national vice chairman, working alongside a new committee of management that includes the Guild's first food development representative following its amalgamation with the former Food Development Association last year. The full committee of management comprises:

National chairman – Andrew Green
National vice chairman – Christopher Basten
National treasurer – Geoff Acott
PR/Merchandising/Website – Ian Nottage
Corporate events organiser – David Mulcahy
Competitions manager – Gary Hunter
Exhibition manager – Lee Maycock
Culinary team captain – Fergus Martin
Schools and colleges representative – Matt Owens
Food development representative – John Feeney

Following the AGM, around 130 members, family and friends attended the lunch specially prepared by executive chef Allister Bishop and his team at Le Meridien Hotel in Piccadilly, London, after which a host of Craft Guild members were recognised for their unstinting support of the Guild during 2009.

Honours & Awards
Bronze Medals
Ben Ford
Stefan Gruebel
Richard Hunt
Ashley Spencer
Sophie Wright

Silver Medals
Lee Maycock

Gold Medals
Cam Faherty
Mark Hill
Alan Melville
Richard Tucker
Darren Thompson

Fellows
Martin Bates
Michael Godfrey
Ian Nottage
Matt Owens

Governors
Arthur Voggenburger
Alan Reynolds
David Marriott

Company Awards
The Horseshoe Public House
Nestlé
Unilever

College Awards
Bristol City College
Leeds City College
Stratford College

Chairman's Award
Kraft

Chairman's Shield
Bournemouth & Poole College

Presidents' Trophy
Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons

Words: Sheila Eggleston

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