Craft Guild's Culinary Academy excels at Hospitality

"The effort put in by everyone involved was absolutely fantastic," said academy team manager Fergus Martin. "I'm so incredibly proud of what the team achieved, but more than anything, for the way they gelled and supported each other. It was tremendous to win so many medals and certificates and it is great testament to the dedication and hard work of these young chefs and the guidance and support of academy team captain Michael Godfrey." Stand out performers at the event included Claire Willett from The Mansion House in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, and Gary Griffiths from Warner Hotels & Leisure (pictured above). Both chefs struck gold and they also received the best in class tag for their efforts. Through the generosity of its patrons – Brakes, Electrolux Professional, Essential Cuisine and Pritchitts – the academy is able to be even more competitive, thanks to financial support and the supply of first class products to use. The support of Wyboston Lakes for the Culinary Academy training camp and Fresh Direct Local for transport also made a big difference. The next big event is the Wessex Salon Culinaire in Bournemouth from March 15-16, and all ambitious chefs and restaurant service professionals in employment, training or education looking to enter, should visit www.hotel-expo.co.uk and download an application form before March 1. Roll of Honour Gold Medal Gary Griffiths – Warner Hotels & Leisure – Gourmet Classic Challenge (Best in Class) Claire Willett – The Mansion House, Bedfordshire – Fat Carving – (Best in Class) Jeffrey Thomas – Freelance chef – Gourmet Classic Challenge Lea Eastman-Thompson – LVS Ascot – Restaurant Plates Starters Silver Medal Daniel Towell – B&Q Head Office Southampton – Contract Caterers Challenge Steven Wylie – LVS Ascot – Restaurant Plates Main Course/Schwartz Chef Challenge Matthew Edmonds – Mandeville Hotel London – Schwartz Chef Challenge/Restaurant Plates Main Course/Restaurant Plates Fish Wayne Harris – Appleford School – Restaurant Plates Main Course Sam Schofield – Morecambe Football Club – Traditional Pasta Dish John Fahy – Tresham College – Restaurant Platter Dennis Mwakulua – Freelance chef – Restaurant Plates Starters Ben Murphy – World Skills – Major Culinary Challenge (Best in Class)/Restaurant Plates Starters Oliver Lloyd – World Skills – Restaurant Plates Starter (Best in Class) Tony Murphy – Compass Group – Contract Caterers Challenge Bronze Medal Andy Wilcock – Teddington High School – Restaurant Plates Starters Matthew Edmonds – Mandeville Hotel London – Team Grand Prix Christopher Basten – London Marriot County Hall Hotel – Team Grand Prix Wayne Harris – Appleford School – Restaurant Plates Desert (Best in Class)/Team Grand Prix Graham Aimson – Morecambe Football Club – Football Stadia Awards Douglas Fishwick – Morecambe Football Club – Football Stadia Awards John Fahy – Tresham College – Restaurant Plates Starters Jeffrey Thomas – Freelance chef – Gram Masterclass Allen Townsend – Rose Bowl – Restaurant Plates Main Course Ben Murphy – World Skills – Schwartz Chef Challenge Oliver Lloyd – World Skills – Schwartz Chef Challenge/Restaurant Plates Terrine Brendan Baxter – World Skills – Traditional Pasta Dish/Vegan Dish Challenge Tony Murphy – Compass Group – Restaurant Platter Andrew Foster – Warner Hotels & Leisure – New Zealand Lamb Certificate of Merit Alex Wilcock – Tasis American School – Restaurant Plates Starters Paul Capener – Kingfisher Country Club – Steelite Creative Challenge Dale Ormston – The Milestone Hotel & Apartments London – Restaurant Plates Starters/Restaurant Plates Fish Matthew Edmonds – Mandeville Hotel London – Restaurant Plates Starters Matthew Jesson – Freelance chef – Gram Masterclass Lionel Stub – Mirabelle Restaurant Harrogate – Steelite Creative Challenge Ben Murphy – World Skills – Vegan Dish Challenge/Restaurant Plates Terrine Brendan Baxter – World Skills – Restaurant Plates Terrine/Restaurant Plates Starters Robert Stordy – Buxton College – Fat Car