As achievers of the 2024 Annual Awards of Excellence, Eleanor McCulloch, Giorgia Sandroni and Nathan Cooper recently enjoyed an inspiring trip to @balfourwinery and @gusbourne_wine. A wonderful opportunity to learn first-hand from two of the UK’s finest wineries, exploring the craft, care and innovation that go into producing world-class English wines. #RoyalAcademyOfCulinaryArts #AAE2024 #FutureTalent #EnglishWine #BalfourWinery #Gusbourne @laura.rhys @jordanlukepainter @jakebalfo

What a pleasure to be served by two of our Annual Awards of Excellence Achievers at our MCA 2026 Launch event at @thedorchester! 🌟 @e.mmulloch.pastry - Young Pastry Chef of the Year 2024 🌟 @_sarai_ann - Young Pastry Chef of the Year 2025 Thank you to @chefmartynnail and the entire FOH and BOH teams at The Dorchester for hosting such a wonderful event. Entries are now open for the MCA 2026 - to find out more and apply, please visit our website. #MCA26 #MasterOfCulinaryArts #TheDorchester #Pastry #PastryChef #AnnualAwardsOfExcellence #CulinaryExcellence #RACA @peopleofthedorchester

We are delighted to announce our final honorary guest judge for our Master of Culinary Arts 2026 - Thomas Kochs, Managing Director, @claridgeshotel. As a seasoned hotelier with over 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Kochs has held senior roles at some of London’s most prestigious properties, including The Berkeley, The Connaught, and Claridge’s, where he now serves as General Manager. German-born and internationally recognised, Kochs has also held leadership positions at The Set Hotels and most recently served as Managing Director of the Corinthia London, from 2017 to 2025. Renowned for his commitment to innovation, service excellence, and team development, Kochs is a trustee of the Gold Service Scholarship, which supports the UK’s rising front-of-house talent. He has been named Hotelier of the Year by the Brit List and is one of Walpole’s 50 Most Influential People in British Luxury. We are honoured to have Thomas join us for our upcoming MCA in 2026. #Claridges #ThomasKochs #Hotelier #Mayfair #MCA #MasterOfCulinaryArts

We are excited to announce the next honorary guest judge for our Master of Culinary Arts 2026 - Mark Birchall, Chef-owner, @restaurantmoorhall Opening in March 2017, Moor Hall Restaurant and Rooms in Lancashire showcases delicate, produce-driven menus inspired by its exceptional surroundings and home-grown ingredients. Within just six months, Moor Hall earned its first Michelin star, followed by a second in 2019. In 2025, it achieved the coveted three Michelin stars, joining an elite group of only 34 restaurants worldwide - and just two in the UK - to hold both three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star, which it received in 2022. Consistently ranked among the UK’s top restaurants, Moor Hall also holds five AA rosettes and World Class status in the Good Food Guide. In recognition of his culinary excellence, Mark Birchall was named ‘Best Chef in the UK’ at the AA Hospitality Awards 2022, and in 2025 received both the ‘Chef of the Year’ title at the National Restaurant Awards and the ‘Chef Award’ at The Cateys. We are so pleased to welcome @markbirchall as an honorary judge for our MCA. 📸 ©Anuwat Senivansa Na Ayudhya MICHELIN Guide Thailand #MarkBirchall #MoorHall #MoorHallRestaurant #Michelin #MCA #MasterOfCulinaryArts