The Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards are now open for applications.

Successful entrants have to pass a number of culinary challenges in a high pressured environment and must then achieve a score of 85% in the final exam if they reach that stage. The final exam includes butchery and fishmongery tests, a mystery basket challenge and the creation of a classic main and dessert.

Paul Gayler MBE has signed up as the chairman of examiners for the third year, and the competition is open for chefs aged 23 and under. As well as the chance to win a place in the Graduate Awards hall of fame, entrants who pass the paper entry stage and the regional cooking test get to go to London for a day of masterclasses with industry professionals and other surprises.

Last year’s mentor day included a Q&A with pastry chef Graham Hornigold from Michelin-starred Hakkasan Mayfair, a dinner with Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala with a look at flavours from across India, a trip to Smithfield market with a masterclass in butchery from The London Meat Co and a ‘filleting’ session at Billingsgate fish school.

Awards co-ordinator Steve Munkley said: “We are still in the process of putting the finishing touches to this year’s itinerary, but what I can say is that it is already looking positively mouth-watering.”

The closing date for paper entries is the 3rd May, and to download an entry form visit www.craftguildofchefs.org.