Compass and Sodexo win at Craft Guild Awards

Graham Singer from Compass Group and Karl Griffiths from Sodexo were among the bigger winners at the recent Craft Guild of Chefs Awards. They claimed the Competition Chef Award and the Contract Catering Chef Award respectively at the event, which was held on Thursday 9th June at Magazine London and marked a return to its original format after a two-year break.

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 that has had a major influence on the British chef scene.

The Culinary Hero Award (formerly the People’s Choice Award) went to NHS Chefs Academy. Speaking at the event, Nick Vadis, culinary director for 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.”

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 who 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 that 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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