Gary Jones wins top honour at Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022

Gary Jones, executive head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, has been honoured with the Special Award at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022.

The event, which was held at Magazine London last night (9 June), was a return to its original format after a two-year break due to the pandemic.

Jones received the honour in recognition of his history of going “above and beyond” in a career that has had a major impact on the British chef scene.

The Culinary Hero Award (formerly the People’s Choice Award) went to NHS Chefs Academy. Speaking at the event, Nick Vadis, culinary director of Compass Group UK and 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.”

Grace Hawksley from Gravetye Manor picked up the Apprentice Chef Award, while Luke Selby was awarded New Restaurant of the Year Award for Evelyn’s Table, the Michelin-starred counter dining experience in London’s Rupert Street.

Craft Guild of Chefs’ vice-president Steve Munkley 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 who looks to encourage and develop young talent, whilst still being mindful of their own wellbeing.”

The evening included a raffle to raise funds for the Craft Guild of Chef’s joint initiative with UK Curry Connect, Chefs Support Ukraine. All donations from the JustGiving page will go directly to the initiative.

The full list of 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 McCormicks UK

Graham Singer, Compass Group UK & Ireland

Contract Catering Chef Award – sponsored by Lakeland Dairies

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 Foodservice

Hana Group

New Restaurant of the Year Award – sponsored by Marsh Commercial

Luke Selby, Evelyn’s Table

Pastry Chef Award – sponsored by Carpigiani UK

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

Young Chef Award – sponsored by De Manincor

AS Shaun Downs, Navy

Special Award – sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland

Gary Jones, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons