The Chairman’s Award is awarded to any member or non-member, who has given ‘extraordinary service’ to the Craft Guild of Chefs. This year's recipient was Andrew Archer.
Mark Reynolds, chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, commented: “I have awarded Andrew Archer this award this year for his continued support with the Craft Guild of Chefs. His organisation of the awards dinner each year takes time, energy and key organisation skills to arrange such a large event. Andrew and his team ensure the smooth running of the evening which starts months prior to the actual dinner with arranging the judging process.
“We have taken huge steps over the past few years with our Craft Guild of Chefs website which isn’t just ‘fix it and move on’ it’s an ongoing commitment that takes time and focus to keep it up to date and relevant to what is happening in the industry. It’s becoming a one stop shop to know what’s going on in the guild daily. Andrew is a huge ambassador for the guild and truly deserves this recognition.”
Reflecting on the recognition, Archer said: “This award really belongs to the whole team. It’s a collective effort, and everyone plays a part in delivering the long-standing service we’re proud to provide to the Craft Guild of Chefs."
The Craft Guild of Chefs was established in 1885 under its former name of the Cookery and Food Association. It has developed into the leading chefs’ association in the UK and has many members worldwide.
Elsewhere there were 12 Rising Star awards given out on the day. Recipients included Joanna Baggaley, Grace Dugan Christi Myburgh, Mitchell Collins, Rosie Woods, Paolo Marinosci, Keira Carolan, Inez Roggema, Eleri Davis, Abbie Watkins, Otis Lorton and Oliver Redwell Welch. This accolade is awarded to young people, members or non-members, who have been recognised as potential stars of the future.
The grade Fellow is on the recommendation for suitably qualified members of good standing who have been proposed and seconded by two Fellows of the Guild and have not less than five years continuous membership of the Guild. The recipients for 2026 were Peter Joyner and Nick Wort.
Steve Munkley nominated Peter for a fellowship, for his ongoing support to the chairman, chairman’s charity dinners and the Craft Guild Culinary team. Nick brings strong organisational and management skills to often very stressful competitions providing a reassuring and steadying hand along the way.
The Local Hero Award is given to members who work tirelessly on guild business in their local area or chosen field. The two people who were nominated for this award were John Holden and Darren Creed. Len Unwin was awarded the National Hero accolade at the AGM.
Andrew Green, chief executive of the Craft Guild of Chefs, added: “These awards come around every year, and we are always so pleased to reward the outstanding work that our members do, much unnoticed, much behind the scenes, but all so very important to the progression of the Craft Guild of Chefs.
“This is the one moment where we can pat on the back our very own, at the same time each year we always want to know what other members are doing in their own region, they are the ones we seek every year.”
The Educational Partnership Award is given to a training establishment or body that in eyes of the committee have an outstanding reputation for delivering education in the hospitality arena. The two winners of this accolade were The University of West London and Loughborough College.
The Worshipful Company of Cooks received the Vice Presidents Special Achievement Award. It is given to someone, or an organisation that in the eyes of the Vice Presidents Committee has done something special for the Guild and greater industry. They support the Graduate Awards, Young Chef of the Year and British Culinary Championships.
The full details of the winners can be viewed on the Craft Guild of Chefs website.