Key among them are two of the four shortlisted nominations in the People’s Choice category, for which votes are being taken online through the Craft Guild website http://craftguildofchefs.org/peoples-choice-award-vote. Voting closes at 5pm on Friday, May 6.
Sodexo executive chef Gareth Billington, who is based at client site Everton FC, has been shortlisted not only for leading the team at Goodison Park on matchdays and events over many years, but for his successful competition work and, most especially, his role as a mentor for young chefs, including four who have made it through to the final of the annual FutureChef competition for 12-16 year olds.
Alan Shipman, another People’s Choice nominee also has a strong Sodexo connection, having recently retired after 24 years with the company. In fact he has worked in the industry for more than 50 years, getting involved in teaching, training and mentoring young chefs and apprentices, being a member of the Guild’s Graduate Awards committee and the National Chef of the Year team. He has also been on the Guild’s senior judging team at major competitions held at events such as Hotelympia and Exercise Joint Caterer.
Meanwhile, in the Apprentice Chef category Eleanor De Maria of Eurest and Jacob Webb of Sodexo have been shortlisted, while the Banqueting/Event Chef nominees are James Buckley of Levy Restaurants, Daniel Humphreys at Whittlebury Hall and Karen Poynterof Chester Boyd.
Rik Razza of BaxterStorey will be hoping for the best in the Chef Lecturer section of the awards, as will Compass’s Jamie Gibbs in the Competition Chef category.
Lining up to be the 2016 Contract Catering Chef at the awards are Glynn Lawrence and Liam McDonough of Sodexo, Stuart Nisbet of Elior and Jim Wealands of Lusso.
Pabulum Catering’s Jack Jepson-Sykes and Dan Kelly of Vacherin are hoping for the best among four nominees for the Development Chef Award.
The Public Sector Chef category features three nominees in Scott Pring of Bridgewater College, Tim Roberts of Sodexo and Martin Rowe of Quantum Care.
Recognised as the ‘Chefs Oscars’, the Guild uses the annual awards to recognise and reward the hospitality industry’s leading talent across all sectors of the industry.