Royal Academy of Culinary Arts announces 2023 Annual Awards of Excellence finalists

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts has announced the 26 finalists for the 2023 Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) across service, pastry and kitchen.

 

The AAE is an examination in which all or none of the candidates can pass, depending on their ability to attain the standard of excellence decided upon by the judges.

 

The top scorers in each category will be named Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Young Chef, Young Pastry Chef or Young Waiter 2023 at the gala dinner at Claridge’s on 31 July.

 

AAE achievers will also receive numerous opportunities, such as work experience at Pollen Street Social in London or the Fat Duck in Bray.

 

Throughout the AAE, chefs were tested on their ability to prepare a variety of dishes, including soups, desserts and a piece of their own interpretation.

 

Pastry chefs had to demonstrate detailed chocolate and sugar work, as well as delivering a creative presentation piece.

 

Waiters were tested on product knowledge, technical service skills and interpersonal skills.

 

The finals took place last month, with the kitchen and pastry finals taking place at the University of West London on 7 June, while the service final was held at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester on 19 June.

 

Finalists for this year’s AAE achievers include:

 

Service

• Adrien Besnard, assistant manager, Le Colombier
• Alexandra Sollis, food and beverage host, The Scarlet Hotel
• Cleo Hudson, demi chef de rang, L’Enclume
• Jack McCormick, senior waiter, Trump Turnberry Hotel, Grand Tea Lounge
• Lara Schildknecht, service waitperson, Trump Turnberry Hotel, 1906 Restaurant
• Laura Brookes, fine dining senior waitress, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons
• Luca Trento, head waiter, The Ritz London, Restaurant
• Max Daglish, head waiter, L’Enclume
• Mirco Finotti, chef de rang, The Ritz London, Restaurant
• Noime Miranda, junior assistant manager, The Vineyard Hotel and Spa
• Rebecca Panza, head waitress, The Lanesborough Grill
• Riccardo Tresoldi, head waiter, The Ritz London, Restaurant
• Scott Crowe, hef de rang, Number One
• Valentino Galdi, assistant head waiter, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
• Zoe Trontin, head waiter, The Goring Hotel

 

Pastry

• Aubin Farges, pastry sous chef, Marcus Belgravia
• Ben Metcalfe, demi CDP pastry chef, Harrods, Pastry
• Megan Armstrong, pastry chef de partie, 21 Newcastle

 

Kitchen

• Aimee O'Connell, chef de partie, The Ritz London
• Amrita Phull, chef de partie, Chapter
• Billy Etheridge, demi chef de partie, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons
• Daniela Prela, demi chef de partie, The Ritz London
• Ieuan Jones, commis chef, Brasserie at Lucknam Park Hotel
• Iona Duncan, junior sous chef, The River Restaurant, The Savoy Hotel
• Tomas Henton, chef de partie, Brooks’s Club
• Toby Whitehead, chef de partie, Coworth Park, Woven by Adam Smith