Phil Howard named honorary president of RACA Annual Awards of Excellence

Phil Howard has been named as the next honorary president of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE).

The chef patron of London's Michelin-starred Elystan Street restaurant and pasta restaurant group Notto is an active member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and sits on both the management committee and sustainability committee.

He has played a significant role in the progression and development of two culinary competitions – the Young Chef Young Waiter and National Chef of the Year.

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is now accepting entries for AAE 2024. Applicants must currently be working full-time in the UK as a chef, pastry chef or waiter and should be under the age of 26 at the close of entries on 31 January 2024.

The AAE is an examination rather than a competition and all or none of the candidates can achieve the award depending on their ability to attain the standard set by the judges.

All those who successfully reach this standard will achieve the AAE. In addition, the candidate who scores the highest marks in each section will be named the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Young Chef, Young Pastry Chef and Young Waiter of the Year 2024.

Entries are open via the Royal Academy website.