Compass Group UK & Ireland is celebrating its success at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards ceremony, at the sparkling Westminster Park Plaza.
Recognised as the equivalent of The Oscars for the chef industry, the Awards highlight the UK’s most outstanding chefs across all sectors of the industry.
Two chefs from across the business were recognised with top accolades; Jamie Gibbs, from ESS Defence and part of England’s Culinary Olympic team, took home the Public Sector Chef Award while Simon Webb, team captain of England’s Culinary Olympic team from the Restaurant Associates business, won the Competition Chef.
Ryan O’Connor, apprentice chef in ESS Defence and Compass’ Apprentice Chef of the Year, was also shortlisted for the Apprentice Chef Award.
Nick Vadis, Culinary Director – Compass Group UK & Ireland, commented on the success of Compass’ chefs, “The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards are extremely prestigious within the chef industry so to have two winners from Compass really is an exceptional achievement. Recognition from such a well-respected institution gives us confidence in our belief that we deliver fantastic food for both our clients and customers.”
Jamie Gibbs, winner of the Public Sector Chef Award, said: “I am over the moon to have been awarded this accolade. Public sector cooking is at a really high standard as we all know our clients expect only the best quality of food. With this in mind, it is an honour to accept this award.”
Simon Webb, Competition Chef Award winner, stated, “We had a wonderful experience at the Culinary Olympics in November of last year. Picking up England’s first ever Gold Medal as captain of the team, was an amazing high point for me personally, and to win the Competition Chef Award is right up there as well. However, cooking is not an individual profession and I would like to praise every chef in England’s victorious team as well as my team in the kitchen at Restaurant Associates.”
Established in 1965 as a Guild of the Cookery and Food Association, the Craft Guild of Chefs has developed into the leading Chefs’ Association in the UK and has many members worldwide. The annual event, now in its 23rd year, recognizes the greatest culinary talent across the industry whether they work in a village pub, fine dining restaurant, city, university or in contract catering. They might develop products for national retailers or serve British soldiers.
