- Sananes - Le Gavroche
- Jennifer Santner - Fenchurch Seafood Bar and Grill
- Christoph Schrottenbaum - Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
- Klaus Schwebach - The Gleneagles Hotel
- Ilias Skordilis - The Gleneagles Hotel
- Jamie Tones - Café 21
- Lucy Yates - The Gleneagles Hotel
To achieve the award candidates had to attain a score of over 70% in the tasks set and judged by industry luminaries chaired by John Williams MBE, executive chef, The Ritz London and Chairman of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
Kitchen Finalists had five hours to produce:
- A summer soup starter, using ingredients from a mystery box
- Turbot à la Normande
- A whole duck dish from the entry task each candidate prepared
- Their own modern interpretation of a raspberry mille-feuille.
Spencer Metzger, Young Chef of the Year 2014 said: “Winning the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Annual Award of Excellence was a turning point in my career. It opened new horizons for me and has given me the confidence and ambition to reach my full potential at this stage in my profession. I highly recommend all young chefs who are ambitious and determined to succeed to enter this competition”.
Pastry Finalists had 5.5 hours to produce:
- Two Bûche de Noël; a sugar stand on which to display one Bûche de Noël (techniques could include poured, pulled, blown cooked sugar, nougatine and royal icing)
- Four portions of a fruit based verrine
- 20 petits fours Nougat de Montélimar.
Bianka Molnar, Young Pastry Chef of the Year 2014 said: “I’ve been in a few competitions but the Annual Awards of Excellence was different. It made me realise I how much I love my job and showed my abilities and skills. I feel very proud after winning the AAE 2014”.
Service Finalists were required to:
Decant and describe wines to the judging panel, as well as set up and serve a 3 course meal with wines and liqueurs to a table of two guest judges.
Sandra Bein, Young Waiter of the Year 2014 said: "When I heard the news from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts I just couldn't believe what was happening. I felt very thankful and surprised at the same time! Thankful that the judges decided to award this scholarship to me and absolutely surprised because I didn't expect this at all! I'm very excited and I'm also very much looking forward to this scholarship”.
