Applications open for Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence 2020

Applications are open for the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) 2020.

Young professionals across hospitality have been encouraged to apply under the three categories - chef, pastry chef and waiter. The AAE is not a competition but an examination meaning every successful finalist can pass or fail depending on their ability.

Entrants must be aged between 20 and 26, while working full-time in the UK as a chef, pastry chef or waiter. Selection is based on written entries. Entries close on 10 February and applicants should apply here.

Selected candidates will progress to the quarter-finals in February with the semi-finals to take place in March and April and the finals in May and June.

The candidates in each category with the highest marks will be named the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Young Chef, Young Pastry Chef and Young Waiter of the Year 2020.

Prizes include a £2,000 bursary and an educational trip abroad provided by the Savoy Educational Trust as well as work experience at Jason Atherton's Pollen Street Social and Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck. There will also be invitations to trips and events organised by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts as well as an engraved silver trophy commissioned by Gordon Hogg.

The AAE awards were launched in 1983 and there have been more than 650 award winners.