Healthcare chefs recognised in prestigious awards

The Craft Guild of Chefs’ Awards returned after a two-year break due to Covid.

Chefs and caterers working in healthcare, education and hospitality are among those to have been recognised in the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022.

Leading hospitality names such as Gary Jones and Alistair Birt were honoured at the ceremony, which was held on Thursday 9th June at Magazine London and marked a return to its original format after a two-year break due to Covid.

Gary Jones, executive head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire, was selected for the night’s Special Award in recognition of going above and beyond in a career which has a major influence on the British chef scene.


Gary Jones with his Special Award

The Culinary Hero Award (formerly the People’s Choice Award) went to NHS Chefs Academy. Speaking at the event, Nick Vadis, culinary director Compass Group UK and chef ambassador to the NHS, said: “It has been a tough journey through Covid to where we are today. The NHS chefs have been inspirational and welcoming, embracing what we are trying to achieve. This will hopefully raise the awareness of training and development and NHS chefs who work in our trusts.”

Care home chef Ben Morris, based at Country Court's The Grange in Essex, missed out on the Public Sector Catering Chef Award, for which he had been shortlisted. It was won by Jake Barwood, of Totteridge Academy.

Mark Fletcher, of Churche’s Mansion, who picked up the Banqueting and Event Chef Award, added: “For me to be recognised by my peers and the Craft Guild of Chefs is a true honour, I’m very proud to join the list of previous winners all of whom I look up to. Just to be nominated was a surprise and now to win this award, it really is very special. A very special moment in my career.”

Grace Hawksley from Gravetye Manor picked up the Apprentice Chef Award, while head chef Luke Selby was awarded New Restaurant of the Year Award for Evelyn’s Table, the intimate Michelin-starred counter dining experience in London’s Rupert Street.

Craft Guild of Chefs vice president Steve Munkley said: “This has been a year of exceptional challenges and I am so proud to see that we have so many worthy winners. This year we made a special award to recognise someone who went above and beyond during the pandemic. I believe that we have identified such a worthy winner in Gary Jones, he is a real role model in the industry, he looks to encourage and develop young talent, while still being mindful of their own wellbeing.”

The evening included a raffle to raise funds for the Craft Guild of Chefs' joint initiative with UK Curry Connect, Chefs Support Ukraine. The campaign asks the hospitality industry to help raise funds for Ukraine. All donations from the JustGiving page, which can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chefsforukraine, will go directly to UNHCR.

Matt Owens, chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “This is a scheme which has brought together two great organisations who, with their combined membership, can really make a difference.”

The full list of winners

Apprentice Chef Award
Grace Hawksley – Gravetye Manor

Armed Forces Chef Award
WO Jonathan Smith – Royal Air Force

Banqueting and Event Chef Award
Mark Fletcher – Churche's Mansion

Chef Lecturer Award
Jose Souto – Westminster Kingsway College

Chef’s Favourite Branded Restaurant Group
Miller & Carter

Competition Chef Award 
Graham Singer – Compass Group UK & Ireland

Contract Catering Chef Award
Karl Griffiths – Sodexo

Culinary Hero Award
NHS Chefs Academy

Development Chef Award
Vicky Endersen – MSK Ingredients

Innovation in Sustainability Award
Hana Group

New Restaurant of the Year Award
Luke Selby – Evelyn’s Table

Pastry Chef Award
Alistair Birt – Harrods

Pub Restaurant Chef Award
Nina Matsunaga – The Black Bull, Sedbergh

Public Sector Catering Chef
Jake Barwood – Totteridge Academy

Restaurant Chef Award
Dan McGeorge – Rothay Manor

Young Chef Award
AS Shaun Downs – Navy

Special Award
Gary Jones – Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

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