After receiving an impressive number of entries into the Graduate Awards 2023, the Craft Guild of Chefs has whittled the entry list down to just 36. These ambitious chefs will now be heading to either Watford or Sheffield to take part in the semi-final stage of the award.

The Graduate Award is a practical and theory exam which is aimed at chefs aged under 25 who are looking to test their skills, put themselves in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers. It was founded in 2002 by Steve Munkley, vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs who wanted to give chefs an award to work towards once in the workplace.

Over the last 21 years, it has developed and grown to help meet the demands of modern kitchens. As well as the Kitchen/Larder exam, it now includes a Pastry award which is spear-headed by Will Torrent, senior development and innovation chef at Waitrose & Partners.

The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 20th June at West Hertfordshire College in Watford and on Thursday 22nd June at Sheffield College. Those who make the grade will then go through to the final at University of West London on Friday 1st September. All those who make the final will be invited on the Guild’s annual mentoring trip which this year sees chefs being taken on a culinary tour of Suffolk in July.

Taking part in the Watford heat will be:

• Darragh Ryan, 36 On The Quay Restaurant with Rooms
• Harvey Barker, The Botanical Rooms at The Newt in Somerset
• Elliot Wakefield, Savoy Grill
• Sam Reynolds, The Fat Duck
• Liam Balmer, Lucknam Park Hotel
• Luke Morton, The Tudor Pass, Great Fosters Hotel
• Alessio Sneider, Soho House, 76 Dean Street
• Zach Colburn, House of Commons
• Nathan Cooper, Goldman Sachs, BaxterStorey
• Matthew Mark Crane, Royal Air Force Club
• Jack Baldwin, The Angel Inn at Topcliffe
• Perran Clark, New Coast Kitchen

Allocated a place in the Sheffield heat are:

• Brandon William Stokoe, Jesmond Dene House
• Angus Paul Levell, The Caddy Mann Restaurant
• Michael Jones, Fletchers Grantley Hall
• Megan Beale, Dumbleton Hall
• Daniel James Cox, Morston Hall Hotel
• Connor Gray, Talbot Hotel in Malton
• Jamaar Semper, Lucknam Park Hotel
• Chloe Williamson, Prestwold Hall
• Ivan Barzev, Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa
• Jack Newbold, No. 23 Uppingham Restaurant
• Georgia Hackett, City of Liverpool College
• Jason Cargill, The Rookery Restaurant & Bar

The pastry semi-finalists who will sit the exam in Watford include:                                

• Paige Hill, Pentonbridge Inn
• Owen Morgan Roberts, Rabbit
• Blessing Olusile, Pillars Restaurant
• Stephanie Grace Belcher, Coast in Saundersfoot
• Charlotte Vicars, One Aldwych Hotel
• Hoi Yan Tam, Sofitel London St James
• Marija Kuzaite, Ardtara Country House
• Luke Watkins, Auberge du Lac
• Jack Kirby, Lygon Arms Hotel
• Mackenzie Pope, Lucknam Park Hotel
• Yip Man Ying, Shangri-La
• Tara Pasotti, Pennyhill Park Hotel 

Munkley said: “As the founder, it has been inspiring to see so much interest in the Graduate Awards this year so thank you to everyone who entered. To help the chefs going through to the next stage, we are sharing videos that will help them to practice and be as prepared as possible for the semi-finals as we realise for some of them this will be their first taste of a culinary test like this. I recommend they all work with their senior chefs, take advice and use this opportunity to its full potential as it’s known to open many doors that will help their future careers.”

The Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards wouldn’t be possible without sponsorship from The London Meat Co, Oranka, Savoy Educational Trust, Reynolds, Meiko UK, Essential Cuisine, City and Guilds, Robert Welch, Continental Chef Supplies (CCS), James Knight of Mayfair, Worshipful Company of Cooks, CCE London Ltd, University of West London, Lakeland Dairies, Grande Cuisine, The Caterer, Maldon Salt, NOWAH, Wild Farmed, Villeroy & Boch and Daregal Gourmet.