Craft Guild Awards 2022: Gary Jones recieves top honour

Gary Jones, executive head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire, was awarded the Special Award at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2022

The event, which was held on Thursday 9th at Magazine London, marked the return to its original format after a break due to Covid.

During the event, Gary Jones was selected for the night’s Special Award in recognition of going ‘above and beyond’ in a career which has had a major impact and influence on the British chef scene.

In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Gary said: "To all of the chefs that have trained at Le Manior in the past, the present who are training now and the future ones as well. This is for you. To my mentor, Raymond, and to the whole team at Le Manoir thank you very much for this, and to the whole industry: keep doing it, it's brilliant."

"We've got lots to achieve still and our kitchens have got to become better places to work, and let's do that together."

The Culinary Hero Award, formerly the People's Choice Award, went to the NHS Chefs Academy and, at the event, Nick Vadis, culinary director at Compass Group UK & chef ambassador to NHS, said, “It has been a tough journey through Covid to where we are today. The NHS chefs have been inspirational and welcoming, embracing what we are trying to achieve. This will hopefully raise the awareness of training and development and NHS chefs who work in our Trusts.”

Along with that, Grace Hawksley, of Gavetye Manor, picked up the Apprentice Chef Award, and head chef Luke Selby received the New Restaurant of the Year Award for Evelyn's Table, the Michelin-starred counter dining experience.

Steve Munkley, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “This has been a year of exceptional challenges and I am so proud to see that we have so many worthy winners."

"This year we made a special award to recognise someone who went above and beyond during the pandemic. I believe that we have identified such a worthy winner in Gary Jones, he is a real role model in the industry, he looks to encourage and develop young talent, whilst still being mindful of their own wellbeing.”

The evening's events also included a raffle that raised funds for the Craft Guild of Chef’s joint initiative with UK Curry Connect, ‘Chefs Support Ukraine’ raising funds for the people of Ukraine. All donations to their JustGiving page will go directly to UNHCR.

Chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Matt Owens, said: “This is a scheme which has brought together two great organisations who, with their combined membership, can really make a difference.”

The full list of this year’s winners:

Apprentice Chef Award, sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland: Grace Hawksley – Gravetye Manor
Armed Forces Chef Award, sponsored by Valentine & CuisinEquip: WO Jonathan Smith – Royal Air Force
Banqueting & Event Chef Award, sponsored by Major International: Mark Fletcher - Churche's Mansion
Chef Lecturer Award, sponsored by Wrapmaster: Jose Souto - Westminster Kingsway College
Chef’s Favourite Branded Restaurant Group, sponsored by Unox: Miller & Carter
Competition Chef Award, sponsored by McCormick UK Ltd: Graham Singer - Compass Group UK & Ireland
Contract Catering Chef Award, sponsored by Pritchitts: Karl Griffiths – Sodexo
Culinary Hero Award, sponsored by Williams Refrigeration: NHS Chefs Academy
Development Chef Award, sponsored by Essential Cuisine: Vicky Endersen - MSK Ingredients
Innovation in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Quorn Professionals: Hana Group
New Restaurant of the Year Award, sponsored by Marsh Commercial: Luke Selby – Evelyn’s Table
Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Carpigiani: Alistair Birt – Harrods
Pub Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Bidfood: Nina Matsunaga - The Black Bull, Sedbergh
Public Sector Catering Chef, sponsored by HRC 2023: Jake Barwood - Totteridge Academy
Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Hoshizaki: Dan McGeorge - Rothay Manor
Special Recognition Award, presented by the Craft Guild of Chefs: Kate Nicholls - UKHospitality
Special Award, sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland: Gary Jones – Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Young Chef Award, sponsored by De Manincore: AS Shaun Downs – Navy

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall and restrict access – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 12 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 500,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.