Craft Guild of Chefs' graduate awards open for entries

The Craft Guild of Chefs is calling for all chefs aged 23 years old and under to enter the 2014 Graduate Awards.

Candidates will be required to pass a number of challenges in a high pressured environment and must achieve a score of 85% if they reach the final exam.

Josh Bingham from Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons was last year's Highest Graduate Achiever with a score of 90%. "I entered because it felt the right time to test myself against chefs of a similar level whilst pushing myself to learn more and become a better chef," he said.

"It was great to meet like-minded people and make new contacts during a fun, yet challenging, experience. Constructive feedback, in events like this, is the best way to learn and develop as a chef and a person."

Steve Munkley, awards organiser and Craft Guild vice-president, said: "In 2013 our chairman of examiners, Paul Gayler MBE said he was ‘astounded' at the standard and there wasn't a single dish he couldn't have served up to clients. We're all really looking forward to seeing the 2014 entries.

"It's a tough programme but these awards can really push chefs up the career ladder. Finalists will learn from some of the best chefs in the country and if successful will be able to add the prestigious title to their CV. I believe the mentor day was the main reason for last year's high standard as every young chef got so much out of it. We're delighted this is back for 2014," he added.

For more information and to receive an entry form visit www.craftguildofchefs.org, the closing date for entries is the 10 May 2014.