Annual Awards of Excellence

Since it began in 1983 as the Commis Chef of the Year Award, the Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) - one of the Academy’s most important education and training initiatives - has recognised and rewarded the talents and ambition of young Chefs, Pastry Chefs and Waiters between the ages of 20-26. The Awards test a variety of skills within each discipline.

Chefs can be tested on a variety of food preparation and cookery tasks from making a salad to butchery sills and must demonstrated that they can prepare a variety of dishes including soups, desserts and a piece of their own free interpretation.

Pastry Chefs will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work with many different kinds of materials, including detailed chocolate and sugar work and a creative presentation piece, whilst having an excellent grounding in baking and plated desserts.

Waiters are tested on their knowledge and skills in a wide range of food and beverage service aspects including product knowledge, technical service skills, interpersonal skills and teamwork.

Good basic skills are seen as the essential cement with which young, ambitious members of the catering industry can build a rewarding career, while more taxing tasks help to identify the best cooks and waiters of today who will become the leaders of tomorrow. To participate in the AAE is a great learning experience in itself. It is not a competition as there is no first, second and third place, but instead any number of candidates can achieve the standard of excellence of 70% or above.

Entry Requirements:
Candidates should be aged between 20 and 26 years of age, be currently working as a Chef, Pastry Chef or Waiter in the United Kingdom and have been for at least two years.

Prizes
All candidates who achieve the award are invited to the prestigious Gala Presentation Dinner where they are presented with a diploma, a chefs jacket or badge (for Service) and a magnum of Champagne Mumm.

The highest scoring winner in each category - Kitchen, Pastry and Service - are also awarded prizes including a £2,000 bursary with thanks to the Savoy Educational Trust.

The Academy is very grateful to the sponsors of the AAE: