Royal Air Force Flight Sergeant Mark Sweeney, personal chef to the RAF's Chief of the Air Staff at his London residence, picked up the new Armed Services Chef Award at the Going for Gold-themed ceremony at Wembley Stadium.
Other award winners in the annual celebration of chefs across foodservice included everyone from an apprentice chef who caught the eye of the celebrated Michel Roux Jnr, to the awe-inspiring executive chef at the O2.
Michael Kitts from the Emirates Culinary Academy of Hospitality Management was voted this year's winner by people from across the industry for the People's Choice Award. This award was first introduced in 2011 to recognise a person who has made a glowing impression on colleagues but who did not quite fit the criteria of a 'blue ribbon' award.
The Craft Guild of Chefs Special Achievement Award, an accolade reserved for an exceptional personality who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole, went to Cyrus Todiwala, widely considered the Godfather of Indian cuisine in the UK and one of the most charismatic, colourful and enlightening chefs in the industry.
Craft Guild of Chefs vice president Steve Munkley said every 2012 winning chef was not only a great cook, but used great innovation and initiative to excel in their particular sector.
"To win a Craft Guild of Chefs award, you have to be more than just handy in the kitchen, you need that extra, stand-out ingredient," he said. "Every winner in this year's awards can lay claim to this and thoroughly deserves their place in the association's hall of fame."
In addition there was one surprise award - particularly to the recipient - that didn't need any debate from a judging panel, the very rare Honorary Award, which the Craft Guild bestowed on Martin Bates, the Guild's CEO for the last six years. He has supported the Guild wholeheartedly and has been a major influence in raising the Guild's profile and making sure it has a voice nationwide.
The annual Craft Guild of Chefs awards aim to reward leading lights from across all sectors of the industry, whether they work in a village pub, fine dining restaurant, city university, a military unit or in contract catering. They might even be development chefs for national retailers.
CGC Award Winners 2012
Apprentice Chef Award
Lyndsay Michie, Le Gavroche
Armed Services Chef Award
Mark Sweeney, Royal Air Force
Banqueting & Event Chef Award
Phil Herd, Levy Restaurants
Competition Chef Award
Mark Hill, House of Commons
Contract Catering Chef Award
Mark Crowe, EliorUK
Cost Sector Chef Award
Mark Hancock,UniversityofSussex
Development Chef Award
Robin Turner, Sodexo
Education Chef Award
Gary Hunter,WestminsterKingswayCollege
Ethnic Chef Award
Mehernosh Mody, La Porte des Indes
New Restaurant of the Year Award
Pollen Street Social,London- Jason Atherton
Pastry Chef Award
Cherish Finden, The Langham Hotel
People's Choice Award
Michael Kitts, TheEmiratesAcademyof Hospitality Management
Pub Restaurant Chef Award
Rob Hartwell, The Peach Pub Company
Restaurant Chef Award
Richard Allen, Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa
Young Chef Award
Ben Murphy, Koffmann's at the Berkeley Hotel
Special Award
Cyrus Todiwala
Honorary Award
Martin Bates, Craft Guild of Chefs
