Jesmond Dene House’s Brandon William Stokoe has been included among 36 semi-finalists in the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2023.
The Graduate Award is a practical and theory exam which is aimed at chefs aged under 25 who are looking to test their skills, put themselves in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers. It was founded in 2002 by Steve Munkley, vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs who wanted to give chefs an award to work towards once in the workplace.
Over the last 21 years, it has developed and grown to help meet the demands of modern kitchens. As well as the Kitchen/Larder exam, it now includes a Pastry award which is spear-headed by Will Torrent, senior development and innovation chef at Waitrose & Partners.
The semi-finals will take place in June, with those who make the grade going through to the final at University of West London on September 1. All those who make the final will be invited on the Guild’s annual mentoring trip, which this year sees chefs being taken on a culinary tour of Suffolk in July.
Jesmond Dene House marketing and events manager Christina Stephenson said: “We’re so incredibly proud of Brandon and his work. This is such a prestigious award, and to be a semi-finalist is a real honour. He has our support and backing 100% and we want to wish him every success.”
