The deadline to enter the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards 2008 is fast approaching.

You have until 15 April to enter the competition, which challenges chefs of 23 years of age or under with a series of culinary examinations.  

As well as gaining new skills and an industry recognised achievement on their CV, graduates achieving the 85% pass rate or above, enjoy a host of prizes including study tours to Luxembourg with Villeroy and Boch and Scotland with James Knight of Mayfair.

All finalists are awarded a personalised chef’s jacket, one year’s graduate membership of the Craft Guild of Chefs a Bottle of Pommery Champagne and a piece of culinary equipment.

Last year Steven Wilson, demi chef de partie at the House of Commons, was named the top achiever.

The Graduate Awards scheme was first launched in 2003 with the aim of creating a formal recognition of a young working chef’s culinary excellence.

Craft Guild of Chefs unveil Graduate Award winners

Marco Pierre White honoured at Craft Guild of Chef Awards

The Craft Guild of Chefs appoints new chairman

Craft Guild of Chefs chairman Nick Vadis: Get 'em while they're young

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.