Royal Academy of Culinary Arts reveals Annual Awards of Excellence 2018 winners
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts has revealed the 21 Annual Awards of Excellence 2018 winners.
The awards recognise young hospitality professionals in kitchen, pastry and service disciplines. There are no set number of awards; instead, competitors must reach a standard set by the judges.
The winners will be recognised at a Gala Dinner at Claridge's on 10 July, where the candidate who has scored the highest mark in each section will win prizes including a scholarship, thanks to the Savoy Educational Trust, MAC knives and cookware from Continental Chef Supplies, and a day's work experience at the Fat Duck.
Judges included the Academy's honorary president for 2018 Jason Atherton and chairman John Williams, as well as Claridge's executive chef Martyn Nail, pastry expert Yolande Stanley and service expert Sergio Rebecchi.
Kitchen winners
Gercelynn Mae Dionio, Restaurant Hywel Jones (Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa)
Connor Farrer, the Ritz London
Faye De Souza, Restaurant Associates, Deloitte
Frederick Smith, the Pig on the Beach
Jade Stevens, Restaurant Hywel Jones (Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa)
Andrew Tranter, Trinity
Pastry winners
Sophie Bamford, 21, Newcastle
Nicholas Bentley, Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons
Bastien Carriou, Harrods
Nikola Krikavova, Hakkasan, Hanway Place
Service winners
Dimitri Auriant, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Alessandro Bello, the Ritz London
Catarina Caldeira, the Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Stockross
Giovanna Gucciardo, Le Gavroche
Valerija Kirjackaja, the Ritz London
Ryan Kenyon, André Garrett at Cliveden House
Marion Pépin, Core by Clare Smyth
Andrea Saccogna, the Woodspeen
Bethan Sampson, Pollen Street Social
Alana Quigley, the Birnam Brasserie - the Gleneagles hotel
