Annual Awards of Excellence semi-finalists announced

The Academy of Culinary Arts has announced the semi-finalists for its Annual Awards of Excellence 2013.

The award, which is presided over by Heston Blumenthal OBE and chaired by John Williams MBE, is designed to recognise and encourage the most talented young people across the hospitality industry including chefs, pastry chefs and front of house staff.

According to the Academy of Culinary Arts, this year’s awards have received an unprecedented number of entries with semi-finalists competing from establishments including Claridge’s, The Connaught, Lucknam Park, Le Gavroche, The Westbury, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, The Ritz, William Curley, The Savoy, Gleneagles and The Fat Duck.

The semi-finals will take place at the beginning of April at venues around the country including University College Birmingham, the Tunberry Resort, Scotland, University of West London and The Ritz, London. The finals will take place from 15^th – 24^th June.

A full list of semi-finalists and their establishments can be found here