Deadline extended for the Kitchen and Pastry Graduate Awards 2017

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced that the deadline for the 15th annual Graduate Awards has been extended until Friday 12 May 2017.

The Graduate Awards were founded in 2002 by vice-president Steve Munkley to provide formal recognition of young chefs' culinary excellence. Chefs can benefit from the new entry deadline in both the Kitchen and Pastry Graduate examination, providing they are aged 23 or under.

To enter the awards, chefs need to complete the online or downloadable form here before 11.59pm on 12 May.

Shortlisted chefs will be invited to North or South heats in June, with the final examination taking place in Birmingham in August. Successful chefs will benefit from a mentoring scheme, including away days in July and on-the-job support from their workplace mentor. 2017 graduates will be revealed at a ceremony in September.

Munkley said: "It's a very special time for the Graduate Awards as we celebrate our 15th year and I feel it's important we give as many chefs as we can the opportunity to be part of this event. We've seen previous graduates go on to have fantastic careers including working in Michelin-starred kitchens and winning national competitions such as Young National Chef of the Year. There's often talk about lack of skills in our industry but these awards really help a young chef improve and showcases the culinary talent the UK has to offer."

Amber Francis, the Highest Achiever in the 2016 Awards, added: "I've recently received a Rising Star Award from the Craft Guild of Chefs and accepted my place in the final of Young National Chef of the Year. This is just one example of how achieving the Graduate Award has helped me develop as a chef and get my name seen and heard in the industry."

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