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
