Craft Guild AGM recognises loyal supporters

The Guild's president, Master of the Royal Household Air Vice Marshall David Walker, presented John Retallick with the Order of Merit – the first time the Craft Guild of Chefs has ever given this prestigious award, and the London Division's chair Cam Faherty was presented with the Vice Presidents' Special Achievement Award. Guild chairman Nick Vadis said that Retallick is highly respected throughout the industry and is one of the most recognised faces in the Guild. "His boundless work and dedication not only to the Craft Guild of Chefs but also to the industry as a whole is inspiring, by supporting and encouraging young talent with his pearls of wisdom. He is the driving force behind many events and national salons and will always give his time freely." Previously Retallick had presented the Special Achievement Award on behalf of the Presidents' Council to Faherty for his continual loyal support to the Guild throughout the UK and the wealth of experience he offers to everyone. Other deserving awards included the accolades for the Culinary Academy team for the sterling work in the competition arena. Vadis welcomed everyone to the event, which for the first time was held at the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood, London, and highlighted the massive achievements the Guild has accomplished over the past year. These included the glories achieved by the academy at prestigious events such as the Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, Hospitality at the NEC, Wessex Salon Culinaire and the WACs challenge in Ireland, as well as the latest boost to the membership via PACE (Professional Association of Catering Education). Vadis explained that the Guild had tabled a proposal at the 2009 AGM of PACE that all students moving into their second year on the VRQ and the Chef Diploma would be invited to join the Craft Guild at a reduced rate. "This is just one initiative that we as a committee are trying – working with PACE's colleges to reach out to the grassroots of our industry. As reported last year, our college representative Bob Brown and other committee members will be driving this in the coming year. "It was proposed that a levy should be added to the tuition fees across all colleges in PACE. There is still some work to do on this and both myself, Bob and Martin Bates will be working towards its implementation with the 160 plus member colleges." [Further coverage will be published in the summer issue of Stockpot] HONOURS AND AWARDS Bronze Medals Mathew Shropshall Scott Lucas Brian Mellor David Pell Silver Medals Andy Twells Bernie Englehardt Mike Godfrey Martin Bates Paul Goodfellow Andrew Jones Dennis Mwakalua Gold Medals Andrew Bennett Matt Owens Ian Jaundoo David Mulcahy Pat Watmore Presidents' Trophy London Marriott County Hall Hotel Chairman's Shield Thames Valley University Chairman's Award Brakes Company Awards Meyer Cookware James Knight of Mayfair CEM Group College Awards These awards are, in the opinion of the Vice Presidents Council, given to colleges outside the Greater London area for their work in the promotion of the Craft Guild and to catering education. West Suffolk College, Ipswich Henley College, Coventry Guernsey College, Channel Islands City College Plymouth Brockenhurst College Liverpool Community College Vice Presidents' Special Achievement Award Cam Faherty (pictured above) Order of Merit John Retallick (pictured) Culinary Academy Awards Patrons Certificates Electrolux Professional Gourmet Classic Essential Cuisine Brakes Bros Academy Bronzes Ben Ford Mathew Shropshall Fergus Martin Natalie Culleton Matthew Edmonds John Fahy Sean McNulty Steve Wylie Senthulkumar Adaiklaraju Jim Bailey Mauritzio Elephante Jim Cumming Juan Sanchez Academy Awards for Olympics Erfurt 2008 Wayne Harris Matt Owens Michael Godfrey Steve Wylie Bernie Engelhardt Dennis Mwakulua Robbie Robertson Natalie Culleton Sophie Wright Christopher Basten Fergus Martin Ben Ford Lisa Mansel Liz Bravery Vince Cottam Lahiru Jayasekara James Davis Andy Twells