Celebrations have begun for nine talented young chefs who have achieved an important step on their career ladders. The results of the exam were revealed in front of a live audience of culinary experts and supporters at an event which took place at Fortnum & Mason on Monday 9th September.
Achieving the Kitchen Graduate Award this year was:
- Angelo Vinci who works at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
- Paolo Marinosci from Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO
- Nick Grant from Launceston Place
- Callum O'Grady who is based at the House of Commons
- Alessio Sneider from Soho House, 76 Dean Street
Receiving the highest mark this year was Alessio with the mentor award being presented to Matt Jones, head chef at the House of Commons, in recognition for his hard work in supporting Callum.
For the chefs who have made the grade this year there will be an opportunity to compete in next year’s semi-finals of Young National Chef of the Year with Alessio being seeded straight to the final as the Highest Achiever.
In the Pastry exam, four chefs passed the award including:
- Irene Magro from Rosewood London
- Catherine Ens who is a chef at Launceston Place
- Jessica McKechnie from Mar Hall
- Ridhima Mhaiskar who works at The Dorchester Hotel
Irene achieved the highest mark in the pastry exam whilst the mentor award was presented to Mark Perkins from Rosewood London.
Examiners for this year included Sally Abé, Gary Jones, Andrew Ditchfield, Mark Reynolds, Roger Pizey, Leyre Pedrazuela Otero plus many more inspirational and successful chefs who were keen to support this important event for up-and-coming chefs.
The Achievers of the Graduate Award will receive a personalised tour of the iconic Fortnum & Mason London store with tea tasting and opportunities for stages in one of the many restaurants.
The kitchen Graduates will also be whisked away on a three-day culinary trip to France courtesy of Grande Cuisine. Those chefs who achieved the Pastry award will be taken on an international trip by NOWAH.