Carol Hopkins brilliantly expresses the frustration of industry chefs and tutors in the present qualification system, and their desire for a return to an examination system which can sort those who can cook from those who cannot (Caterer, 5 October).
She needs to know about the Triple As (Applied Ability Awards). These are examinations (at present at trainee level and chef level, but with more advanced exams planned) which are designed by chefs, administered by chefs, and adjudicated by chefs. The AAA system was initiated and is administered by the British Food Trust on behalf of the industry, and, over the next two years will extend its reach to the whole country, funded by industry and supported by the charitable foundation Edge.
The chefs' organisations that have provided their top chefs to sit on the AAA National Committee and recommend good chef-examiners are the Academy of Culinary Arts, Association Culinaire Française, British Culinary Federation, Craft Guild of Chefs, the Federation of Chefs Scotland, Masterchefs of Great Britain and Welsh Culinary Association, as well as Westminster Kingsway College.
To find out more, see: www.greatbritishkitchen/bft_aaa.
Prue Leith
Chair, AAA National Committee, London
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