ROYAL ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS ANNUAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2024 IS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
Phil Howard Honorary President of The Annual Awards of Excellence 2024.
Philip Howard extends his support of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts as Honorary President of The Annual Awards of Excellence 2024.
Philip Howard has been announced as the next Honorary President of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence.
The chef patron of the Michelin-starred Elystan Street in Chelsea Green, and pasta restaurant Notto in Piccadilly Circus with a new site opening in Covent Garden later this month.
Howard is a “chef’s chef”, quietly notching up years of service and influencing the industry immeasurably, including his 25-year tenure at The Square. He remains a partner of 5 other London restaurants (The Ledbury, Kitchen W8, Church Road, Perilla and Lorne) and UNION in Montalbert La Plagne in the French Alps.
Howard is an active member of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and sits on both the management committee and the sustainability committee. He has played a significant role in the progression and development of two culinary competitions – the Young Chef Young Waiter and National Chef of the Year.
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is now accepting entries for the Annual Awards of Excellence 2024. Applicants must currently be working full-time in the UK as a chef, pastry chef or waiter and should be up to a maximum age of 26 at the close of entries on 31 January 2024.
The Annual Awards of Excellence is an examination rather than a competition; all or none of the candidates can achieve the award depending on their ability to attain the standard of excellence set by the judges. All those who successfully reach this standard will achieve the AAE. In addition, the candidate who scores the highest marks in each section will be named the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Young Chef, Young Pastry Chef and Young Waiter of the Year 2024.
HOW TO ENTER
Enter via the website:
https://royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk/aae
For more information please contact
Daniel Moriss-Jeffery at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
Tel: 020 8673 6300 / E-mail: daniel@raoca.org.uk
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES:
PASTRY FRIDAY 5TH JANUARY 2024
KITCHEN & SERVICE WEDNESDAY 31ST JANUARY 2024
TASKS
Selection is based on video and written entries. Successful candidates will go forward to regional semi-finals in February/March/April and Semi-finals April/May and finals in June 2024 where they will be tested on a wide range of classical skills.
PRIZES
The three highest-scoring candidates are awarded the accolade of Young Chef, Young Waiter, Young Pastry Chef of The Year
£2000 bursary thanks to the Savoy Educational Trust
The bursary from the Savoy Educational Trust will take the form of an educational trip to Epernay courtesy of Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. You will stay at the invitation-only Château Moët & Chandon, on the Saran estate. Here you will learn more about the Champagne method and participate in an incredible Champagne and food pairing meal.
Membership of the AAE Alumni where you are invited to money-can’t-buy hospitality experiences and exclusive Royal Academy of Culinary Arts events and trips.
Work experience at The Fat Duck with thanks to Heston Blumenthal
Invited to exclusive hospitality experiences and Royal Academy of Culinary Arts events and trips
A specially commissioned engraved Silver Trophy thanks to Gordon Hogg and Finclass and an AAE Lapel Pin.
All Pastry Finalists will be invited to a mentor day at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy
Service Semi-Finalists and Finalists are invited to direct entry to the Gold Service Scholarship
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Young Chef of The Year will gain automatic entry to the Final of Craft Guild of Chefs, National Young Chef of The Year
All Annual Awards of Excellence Achievers receive the following:
Jeroboam of Champagne
AAE Lapel Pin
Chefs Jacket courtesy of Bragard
Membership of the AAE Alumni
SPONSORS
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is immensely grateful to the sponsors of the AAE 2024. Berkmann Wine Cellars (product); Evolve Hospitality Recruitment; Maldon Crystal Salt Company; L’Unico Caffe Musetti; Savoy Educational Trust (Scholarship); William Edwards; Woods Foodservice; WPA Healthcare; The Caterer (Media Partner) The Staff Canteen (Media Partner).
AAE 2024 CALENDAR
LAUNCH AND CLOSE
Monday 6th November Annual Awards of Excellence Launch
Friday 5th January Pastry Entries Close
Wednesday 31st January Closing dates for Kitchen and Service
PASTRY SEMI-FINALS
Thursday 15th February University of West London
Westminster Kingsway College
PASTRY FINALISTS MENTOR DAY
Wednesday 28th February Barry Callebaut Mentor Day Banbury
SERVICE QUARTER-FINALS
Monday 11th March Gleneagles
Monday 25th March The Connaught
PASTRY FINALS
Thursday 4th April University of West London
KITCHEN SEMI-FINALS
Thursday 4th April University of West London
University College Birmingham
Bournemouth & Poole College
Westminster Kingsway College
SERVICE SEMI-FINALS
Monday 6th May Gleneagles
Monday 13th May London Venue TBC
KITCHEN FINALS
Thursday 6th June University of West London
SERVICE FINAL
Monday 17th June Turnberry
Monday 24th June London Venue TBC
GALA DINNER
Monday 29th July Claridge’s
- ENDS -
For further information please contact Daniel Moriss-Jeffery
Tel: 020 8673 6300 / E-mail: daniel@raoca.org.uk
Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, 76 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PD
www.royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk
Follow us on Instagram/royalacademyofculinaryarts Twitter @AcadCulArts #AAE2024
The Annual Awards of Excellence 2024 is sponsored by:
Editor’s Note:
ROYAL ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS
Leading the hospitality profession by example - shaping the future through education.
Founded in 1980, the Academy of Culinary Arts is Britain’s highly influential, leading professional association of Head Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Restaurant Managers and suppliers. The ‘Royal’ title was gifted to the Academy of Culinary Arts in 2013. While concerned with raising standards and awareness of food, food provenance, cooking and service, its objectives are primarily focused on the education and training of young people in the hospitality industry and the provision and development of career opportunities.
Patron of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
JUDGES
Honorary President of the AAE 2024: Philip Howard, chef and restaurateur, Elystan Street and Notto restaurants
Chairman of the AAE: JOHN WILLIAMS MBE, Executive Chef, The Ritz
Joint Chairmen of Kitchen: MARTYN NAIL, Executive Chef, Claridge’s and HYWEL JONES, Executive Chef, Lucknam Park
Joint Chairmen of Pastry: YOLANDE STANLEY MCA, Trainer, The Pastry Training Company and SARAH HARTNETT, Executive Pastry Chef - Smart Group Ltd
Joint Chairmen of Service: SERGIO REBECCHI, Director, Serenata Hospitality and JOHN COUSINS, Director, The Food and Beverage Company
