Creative qualities

List the previous winners of Caterer & Hotelkeeper's ChefAward and you will come across some of the most famous names in the history of British cooking.

From the Connaught's Michel Bourdin, the very first recipient of the award in 1984, to last year's winner, Shaun Hill, chef-director of Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon, the award has paid tribute to the people responsible for shaping a decade of cooking in the UK.

It has recognised the trend-setters and innovators, from the era of nouvelle cuisine through to today's influences from the Mediterranean and the Pacific rim. But there's more to winning the award than creating new dishes and demonstrating a flair for cooking.

Judges of the 1994 Chef Award, sponsored by Hobart Still, will be looking for a chef who has made a contribution to the industry as a whole. That may mean training newcomers to the kitchen, judging competitions or making a significant contribution to the development of the profession.

Last year, judges recognised Hill's energy and enthusiasm, and his achievements in bridging the gap between speciality suppliers and chefs.

Despite being based in a remote location in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, he regularly travelled the length and breadth of the country to speak at conferences, judgecompetitions or fulfil a promise tocook for the evening at a former colleague's restaurant. He is equally accessible on home territory, where the doors of his kitchen are always open for eager young chefs to gain experience.

To nominate a chef you believe to be worthy of the award, complete the form on the left and send it with a statement of no more than 200 words maximum on why he or she would be a worthy recipient of the award.

Entries close on 3 May and judging takes place on the 11 May. The winner will be announced on 5 July at the Caterer & Hotelkeeper Awards Dinner at London's Grosvenor House. o