Craft Guild of Chefs reveals winners of its annual ‘Chefs Oscars’

The winners of this year’s Craft Guild of Chefs were announced last night at a gala dinner as London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel.

Attended by more than 650 guests amongst them was Eric Chavot, chef patron of the Michelin-starred Brasserie Chavot in the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, who was awarded the winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Special Award, for his commitment and outstanding contribution to the British food scene. 

A further 16 awards were presented on the night including the Craft Guild’s new Concept & Innovation Chef Award that recognises the trendsetters in the industry who are bringing food, fashion and style to the fore.

Hix Restaurant, 28º-50º and Polpetto were short-listed on the night for this award where videos of their concepts were screened for those attending to vote upon electronically, via an iPad on their table – the first time ever the Craft Guild has chosen this way to select an award winner through this interactive voting system. Once the votes were counted, Polpetto emerged the first winner of this prestigious award.

The popular People’s Choice Award again came down to four candidates and chef consultant Willie Pike received the most online votes. Pike was hailed as an inspiration for many chefs and praised for founding the Scottish chef conference, aimed at improving standards in the industry.

The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards also recognised a host of leading lights across the industry, whether they work in a pub, fine dining restaurant, city university, military unit or in contract catering, and even as development chefs for national retailers.

The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2014 winners are:?

• Apprentice Chef Award – Louise Roberts, Lexington Catering


• Armed Services Chef Award – LChef Laura Willison, Royal Navy


• Banqueting & Event Chef Award – Ben Dutson, Sodexo Prestige Events


• Chef Lecturer Award – Vincent Cottam, Westminster Kingsway College


• Competition Chef Award – Ben Ford, River Island, Eurest


• Concept & Innovation Award – Polpetto


• Contract Catering Chef Award – Peter Joyner, Elior UK


• Cost Sector Chef Award – Glyn Greenow, Infantry Battle School, Sodexo


• Development Chef Award – Sanjay Sighat, The Authentic Food Company


• Ethnic Chef Award – Raju Ramachandran, Cinnamon Soho


• New Restaurant of the Year Award, Gymkhana


• Pastry Chef Award – Martin Powell, RAC Club


• People’s Choice Award – Willie Pike, chef consultant


• Pub Restaurant Chef Award – Andrew Pern, The Star Inn


• Restaurant Chef Award – Paul Kitching, 21212


• Young Chef Award – Thomas Lawson, Rafters Restaurant

• Special Award – Eric Chavot