Thomas Keller and Asma Khan win top accolades at Craft Guild of Chefs Awards
Keller, the famed US chef behind The French Laundry in California, became only the second person in the award’s 30-year history to win an International Chef Award, the first being Alain Ducasse in 2018.
Receiving the accolade, Keller said: “Every single award defines another level of responsibility I have. People are looking at me after receiving this award as a true leader, and I love that.
“To be a leader is different to being a chef, and I accept that burden of responsibility wholeheartedly, and I will make sure what I do in the future will represent this award.”
Khan, chef patron of the Darjeeling Express restaurant in London’s Soho, received the Special Award.
The Special Award is presented in recognition of going above and beyond during their career. Previous winners include Angela Hartnett, Michel Roux, Raymond Blanc and Simon Rogan.
“I feel very humbled, but I understand one thing, this is significant,” she said.
“For all the generations who come after this, generations of girls will know there is a space in hospitality for them, and that is this is an industry which will embrace you. It doesn’t matter what colour skin you are, or what age you are.”
Other notable awards went to Tom Tsappis, chef owner of Killiecrankie House in Scotland, who won the Restaurant Chef Award.
Meanwhile, the New Restaurant of the Year Award went to Miller Prada’s Humo in London’s Mayfair, which earlier this year received its first Michelin star.
Full list of winners:
- Accredited College Restaurant Award: Sheffield College
- Apprentice Chef Award, sponsored by Compass Group: Jess Miller, chef de partie, Chartwells Independent
- Banqueting & Event Chef Award, sponsored by CleanEvent Services: Paul Bates, executive head chef, Hilton London Metropole
- Chef Lecturer Award, sponsored by Grande Cuisine Academy: Anthony Gascoigne, chef lecturer, North Hertfordshire College
- Competition Chef Award, sponsored by HRC 2025: Christopher Morrell, senior chef - Officers' Mess, Royal Air Force
- Contract Catering Chef Award, sponsored by PizzaSi: Simon Webb, hospitality executive chef, BaxterStorey
- Culinary Hero Award, sponsored by Williams Refrigeration: Graham Singer, culinary director, ESS
- Development Chef Award, sponsored by Essential Cuisine: Martyn Lee, development chef, Waitrose
- New Restaurant of the Year Award, sponsored by Alliance NZ: Miller Prada, Humo London
- Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Lakeland Dairies: Michael Kwan, executive head pastry chef, The Dorchester
- Pub Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Bonemasters: Chris Mapp, head chef and owner, The Tickled Trout
- Public Sector Chef Award, sponsored by Tugo Food Systems: Kath Breckon, training and development chef, North Yorkshire Council
- Restaurant Chef Award, sponsored by Unox: Tom Tsappis, chef owner, Killiecrankie House
- Street Food Chef Award, sponsored by Major International: Cameron Laidlaw, chef, Junk Street Food
- Young Chef Award, sponsored by Meiko: Cameron Jones, chef cook, Waterside Inn
- International Chef Award, sponsored by Cunard: Thomas Keller
- Outstanding Support of Culinary Excellence Award, sponsored by Premier Foods: Savoy Educational Trust
- Special Award, sponsored by Sodexo: Asma Khan
- Sustainability Excellence Award, ponsored by Rational: Anna Pazdera, London Heathrow Marriott Hotel
