Great British Menu winner Glynn Purnell’s Birmingham eaterie has been named best new restaurant in the 2008 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.

Now in their 15th year, the awards, which took place at London’s Royal Courts of Justice last night (16 June), recognised 14 chefs from all sectors of the industry.

Purnell’s beat short-listed London restaurants L’Autre Pied and Wild Honey to the best new restaurant title and Purnell told Caterersearch he was thrilled to have won the award.

“Winning an award is always great but receiving an award from fellow chefs makes it extra special,” he said. “Being recognised on a national level as a restaurant based outside of London is a great achievement.”

This year’s special award for outstanding contribution to the culinary arts went to Steve Scuffell, executive chef at the Crown Moran Hotel Group.

Scuffell, who joins previous winners including Marco Pierre White (2007), Albert and Michel Roux (2005), and Raymond Blanc (2002), was praised for his passionate character and professionalism, as well as being a “focused, high achiever with endless patience for those around him”.

Nick Vadis, chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said the standard and quality of this year’s nominees was outstanding.

“This year’s champions are truly shining examples of masters of their trade, whatever sector they may be in, and will ensure the UK is at the forefront of global culinary craftsmanship,” said Vadis.

Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2008 Winners

Apprentice chef - Derek Wright, Sodexo Prestige
Banqueting chef - Stephen Ashburn, Rudding Park, Harrogate
Competition chef - Vince Cottam, Westminster Kingsway College
Contract catering chef - Andrew Aston, Restaurant Associates
Coast sector chef - Lynette Tinney, Derbyshire CC Catering Services
Development chef - Tony Murphy, Eurest
Education chef - Michael Coaker, Thames Valley University
Ethnic chef - Angelo Collaco, Café Spice Namasté, London
New Restaurant of the Year - Purnell’s, Birmingham
Pastry chef - Nick Patterson, Claridge’s, London
Pub restaurant chef - Matt Van Wyck, The Rose and Crown, East Sussex
Restaurant chef - Craig Sandle, The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Young chef - Graham Squire, Claridge’s, London
Special award - Stephen Scuffell, Crown Moran Hotel Group

Video: Stephen Terry, Jason Atherton and Glynn Purnell - Watch the interview >>

Nathan Outlaw and Glynn Purnell Masterclass - 2008 Chef Conference >>

Menuwatch - Purnell's, Birmingham >>

Craft Guild of Chefs unveil Graduate Award winners >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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