Craft Guild extends Graduate Awards deadline

The Craft Guild of Chefs has extended the deadline for its Graduate Awards until Thursday 30 April 2020, with the exam dates pushed back to later in the year.

Chefs have the option of participating in either the kitchen or pastry exams, and new dates for the semi-finals, mentor experience and final exam will be confirmed in due course.

Steve Munkley, vice-chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs and founder of the awards, said: "None of us could have imagined what we'd face as an industry this year. However, I know that once this is over, the hospitality industry will be back; stronger and more resilient than ever. Culinary events like the Graduate Awards push determined, talented and ambitious young chefs right into the limelight and I wanted to make sure all of them still have an opportunity to grow and shine this year.

"As an industry we need focus, hope and positivity right now and there will be many inspiring stories to come out of this awful experience. For me, simply seeing chefs enter the awards at the most difficult time of their career, has been uplifting as it shows the real strength chefs have. I'll be using my time over the coming months to make sure these awards are one of our best yet and provide help, advice and support to all those chefs who make it to the next stage."

To be part of the 2020 event, chefs need to complete a short entry form and confirm who their mentor will be. The entry form is available at https://craftguildofchefs.org/competitions/graduate-awards.