Stars of the culinary world revealed

The winners of the Academy of Culinary Arts' Annual Awards of Excellence have been announced during a gala dinner at The Dorchester.

Honorary President Heston Blumenthal presented the winners with their awards:

Annual Awards of Excellence Young Chef of the Year:
Mark Stinchcombe – Lucknam Park

Annual Awards of Excellence Young Pastry Chef of the Year:
Richard Philips – Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

Annual Awards of Excellence Young Waiter of the Year:
Katie Watson – Gleneagles 

Prizes included silver trophies (donated by Gordon Hogg and Finclass), Meyer Cookware, Victorinox Knives and a scholarship worth £2000 from the Savoy Educational Trust. 

This year's scholarship will be a trip with G.H.Mumm Champagne to Reims and Paris. The three winners will also each spend a day's work experience at The Fat Duck.

To win the award the candidates had to achieve a score of over 70% in tasks set and judged by industry luminaries chaired by John Williams MBE, executive chef, The Ritz and chairman of the Academy of Culinary Arts.

The Gala Dinner also celebrated the other 26 talented young chefs, pastry chefs and waiters who successfully achieved the Academy of Culinary Arts' Annual Award of Excellence 2010, in Finals held in April.

The Annual Awards of Excellence 2010 are sponsored by the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, City & Guilds, the Savoy Educational Trust, John Lewis, Maldon Salt, G.H.Mumm Champagne, Allens of Mayfair and the Caterer & Hotelkeeper.

Words: Maria Bracken

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