Thomas Keller and Asma Khan lead Craft Guild of Chefs’ Awards 2024 winners

American chef Thomas Keller scooped a major honour at last night’s the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.

He triumphed in the International Chef Award category, only the second time in the event’s 30-year history that this honour has been given out, the first winner being Alain Ducasse in 2018.

Keller has established several restaurants including the French Laundry in Napa Valley, and Per Se in New York. He is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the Michelin Guide.

He said of the award win: “It recognises the work that you are doing and encourages you to the work in the future and do even better.

“Every single award defines another level of responsibility I have. People are looking at me after receiving this award as a true leader, and I love that. To be a leader is different to being a chef, and I accept that burden of responsibility wholeheartedly, and I will make sure what I do in the future will represent this award.”

Steve Munkley, vice president, Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “Thomas Keller is a true inspiration and we were delighted to recognise his work by awarding him the International Chef Award. The chefs here tonight, from apprentices, to college lecturers, and all the way through to fine dining have all achieved so much.”

Held on Monday 24 June, the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards was attended by more than 800 of hospitality’s leading lights, and the Craft Guild of Chefs’ royal patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.

A total of 19 trophies were given out, with the Special Award presented to Asma Khan, owner of the Darjeeling Express restaurant in London. Previous winners of this accolade include Simon Rogan, Michel and Albert Roux, Angela Hartnett, Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc.

Other notable victories went to Tom Tsappis, chef owner of Killiecrankie House, who won Restaurant Chef Award; Michael Kwan, executive head pastry chef at the Dorchester won the Pastry Chef Award; and New Restaurant of the Year Award went to Miller Prada, for Humo London.

Tsappis said: “When my name was called out, I didn’t hear the clapping, I was shaking. I wasn’t anticipating this win! The other guys I was up against are top chefs with reputations which exceed my own. I think winning an award which is judged by other chefs makes you feel part of something larger, and it’s nice to be recognised by people who you also know are good at what they do.”

Winners at Craft Guild of Chefs’ Awards 2024

Accredited College Restaurant Award Sheffield College

Apprentice Chef Award Jess Miller, chef de partie, Chartwells Independent

Banqueting & Event Chef Award Paul Bates, executive head chef, Hilton London Metropole

Chef Lecturer Award Anthony Gascoigne, chef lecturer, North Hertfordshire College

Competition Chef Award Christopher Morrell, senior chef – officers’ mess, Royal Air Force

Contract Catering Chef Award Simon Webb, hospitality executive chef, BaxterStorey

Culinary Hero Award Graham Singer, culinary director, ESS

Development Chef Award Martyn Lee, development chef, Waitrose

New Restaurant of the Year Award Miller Prada, Humo London

Pastry Chef Award Michael Kwan, executive head pastry chef, the Dorchester

Pub Restaurant Chef Award Chris Mapp, head chef, owner, the Tickled Trout

Public Sector Chef Award Kath Breckon, training and development chef, North Yorkshire Council

Restaurant Chef Award Tom Tsappis, chef owner, Killiecrankie House

Street Food Chef Award Cameron Laidlaw, chef, Junk Street Food

Young Chef Award Cameron Jones, chef cook, Waterside Inn

International Chef Award Thomas Keller

Outstanding Support of Culinary Excellence Award Savoy Educational Trust

Special Award Asma Khan

Sustainability Excellence Award Anna Pazdera, London Heathrow Marriott Hotel