Who Has Made the Semi-Finals of the Graduate Awards 2023?

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

The Graduate Award is a practical and theor y 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 Pastr y award which is spear-headed by Will Torrent, senior development and innovation chef at Waitrose & Par tners

The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 20th June at West

Her tfordshire 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 culinar y tour of Suffolk in July

Taking par t in the Watford heat will be: -

Darragh Ryan, 36 On The Quay Restaurant with Rooms

Har vey Barker, The Botanical Rooms at The Newt in Somer set

Elliot Wakefield Savoy Gr ill

Sam Reynolds , The Fat Duc k

Liam Ba mer, Luc knam Park Hotel

Luke Mor ton, The Tudor Pass , Great Foster s Hotel

Alessio Sne der, Soho House , 76 Dean Street

Zac h Colburn House of Commons

Nathan Cooper, Goldman Sac hs , BaxterStorey

Matthew Mark Crane , Royal Air Force Club

Jac k Baldwin, The Angel Inn at Topc iffe

Perran Clark, New Coast Kitc hen

Allocated a place in the Sheffield heat are: -

Brandon William Stokoe , Jesmond Dene House

Angus Paul Levell, The Caddy Mann Restaurant

Mic hael Jones , Fletc her s Grantley Hall

Megan Beale , Dumbleton Ha l

Daniel James Cox, Mor ston Hall Hotel

Connor Gray Talbot Hotel in Malton

Jamaar Semper, Luc knam Park Hotel

Chloe Williamson, Prestwold Hall

Ivan Barzev, Rooker y Hall Hotel & Spa

Jac k Newbold, No 23 Uppingham Restaurant

Georg a Hac kett City of Liverpool College

Jason Cargill, The Rooker y Restaurant & Bar

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

Paige Hill, Pentonbr idge Inn

Owen Morgan Rober ts , Rabbit

Blessing Olus le , Pillar s Restaurant

Stephanie Grace Belc her, Coast in Saunder sfoot

Char otte Vicar s , One A dwyc h Hotel

Hoi Yan Tam, Sofitel London St James

Mar i a Kuzaite , Ardtara Countr y House

Luke Watkins Auberge du Lac

Jac k Kirby, Lygon Arms Hotel

Mac kenzie Pope Luc knam Park Hote

Yip Man Ying, Shangr i-La

Tara Pasotti Pennyhil Park Hotel

Steve Munkley, Vice-President of the Craft Guild of Chefs said: As the founder, it has been inspiring to see so much interest in the Graduate Awards this year so thank you to ever yone who entered To help the chefs going through to the next stage , we are sharing videos that will help them to practise 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 culinar y test like this I recommend they all work with their senior chefs, take advice and use this oppor tunity 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, Rober t 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