Craft Guild Awards 2022: Gary Jones receives special award

Gary Jones, executive head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire, was awarded the Special Award at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022

The event, which was held on Thursday 9th at Magazine London, marked the return to its original format after a break due to Covid.

During the event, Gary Jones was selected for the night’s Special Award in recognition of going ‘above and beyond’ in a career which has had a major impact and influence on the British chef scene.

In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Gary said: "To all of the chefs that have trained at Le Manior in the past, the present who are training now and the future ones as well. This is for you. To my mentor, Raymond, and to the whole team at Le Manoir thank you very much for this, and to the whole industry: keep doing it, it's brilliant."

"We've got lots to achieve still and our kitchens have got to become better places to work, and let's do that together."

The Culinary Hero Award, formerly the People's Choice Award, went to the NHS Chefs Academy and, at the event, Nick Vadis, culinary director at Compass Group UK & chef ambassador to 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.”

Along with that, Grace Hawksley, of Gavetye Manor, picked up the Apprentice Chef Award, and head chef Luke Selby received the New Restaurant of the Year Award for Evelyn's Table, the Michelin-starred counter dining experience.

Steve Munkley, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, 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, whilst still being mindful of their own wellbeing.”

The evening's events also included a raffle that raised funds for the Craft Guild of Chef’s joint initiative with UK Curry Connect, ‘Chefs Support Ukraine’ raising funds for the people of Ukraine. All donations to their JustGiving page will go directly to UNHCR.

Chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Matt Owens, 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 this year’s winners:

• Apprentice Chef Award, sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland: Grace Hawksley – Gravetye Manor
• Armed Forces Chef Award, sponsored by Valentine & CuisinEquip: WO Jonathan Smith – Royal Air Force
• Banqueting & Event Chef Award, sponsored by Major International: Mark Fletcher - Churche's Mansion
• Chef Lecturer Award, sponsored by Wrapmaster: Jose Souto - Westminster Kingsway College
• Chef’s Favourite Branded Restaurant Group, sponsored by Unox: Miller & Carter
• Competition Chef Award, sponsored by McCormick UK Ltd: Graham Singer - Compass Group UK & Ireland
• Contract Catering Chef Award, sponsored by Pritchitts: Karl Griffiths – Sodexo
• Culinary Hero Award, sponsored by Williams Refrigeration: NHS Chefs Academy
• Development Chef Award, sponsored by Essential Cuisine: Vicky Endersen - MSK Ingredients
• Innovation in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Quorn Professionals: Hana Group
• New Restaurant of the Year Award, sponsored by Marsh Commercial: Luke Selby – Evelyn’s Table
• Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Carpigiani: Alistair Birt – Harrods
• Pub Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Bidfood: Nina Matsunaga - The Black Bull, Sedbergh
• Public Sector Catering Chef, sponsored by HRC 2023: Jake Barwood - Totteridge Academy
• Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Hoshizaki: Dan McGeorge - Rothay Manor
• Special Recognition Award, presented by the Craft Guild of Chefs: Kate Nicholls - UKHospitality
• Special Award, sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland: Gary Jones – Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons 
• Young Chef Award, sponsored by De Manincore: AS Shaun Downs – Navy