Thames Valley University and Le Manoir triumph in Craft Guild Graduate Awards
Students from Thames Valley University and Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons were named Craft Guild of Chefs graduates 2009.
Hyun You Im and Daniel Inniss-Fitzhugh received the accolade in front of 200 industry colleagues at the Craft Guild of Chefs' Graduate Awards at the Sheraton Hotel, Park Lane on Monday (7 September) after scoring above 85% percent in a final cooking exam, judged by a panel of top chefs.
You Im and Inniss-Fitzhugh, whose dishes included wild seabass and banana flan, were among eight under 23-year-olds to take the test from entrants across the industry.
As well as achieving Craft Guild graduate status, the winners received a selection of prizes including study tours of Luxembourg (Villeroy & Boch) and a Scottish fish farm (James Knight of Mayfair). Inniss-Fitzhugh, who scored on point more than You Im will also receive a surprise educational trip (courtesy of Bel Foodservice).
Craft Guild of Chefs vice president and organiser Steve Munkley cited a year on year rise in the calibre of applicants. He added: "It's not about ticking boxes but showing all round great cooking skills and making the panel's experience truly enjoyable."
The Craft Guild's Graduate Awards were launched in 2003 to formally recognise culinary excellence in young working chefs, with this year seeing the introduction of a northern round alongside the southern regional heat.
Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards open for entires >>
Three-Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal honoured by Craft Guild of Chefs >>
Glynn Purnell's restaurant named best new restaurant in the 2008 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards >>
By Rosie Birkett
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