Clare Smyth takes top gong at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards

The Craft Guild of Chefs has recognised a raft of culinary talent at its 2025 awards at a ceremony in London last night.

 

Clare Smyth received the Special Award in recognition of her “extraordinary contributions to the culinary world”.

 

Smyth became the first female chef to win three Michelin stars in the UK during her time at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London’s Chelsea, while she was also named The Caterer’s Chef of the Year at the 2016 Cateys.

 

Since then, her success has continued and she left Ramsay to open her own venture, Core in Notting Hill in 2017, which by 2021 had achieved three Michelin stars.

 

David Mulcahy, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “Clare Smyth is an exceptional talent whose leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence have not only shaped her own extraordinary career but inspired countless others in our profession.

 

"It is a privilege to honour her with this year’s Special Award.”

 

The ceremony at Royal Lancaster Hotel London also saw Adam Smith of Coworth Park win the Restaurant Chef Award, Luis Meza of Hilton London Metropole win the Pastry Chef Award and Kioku by Endo win the New Restaurant of the Year Award.

 

The full list of Craft Guild of Chefs 2025 winners:

 

Accredited College Restaurant – the Silver Plate Restaurant, Sheffield College 

 

Apprentice Chef Award – Roselle Wu, ESS Compass Group UK & Ireland

 

Banqueting & Event Chef Award – Allen Townsend, Levy Goodwood

 

Chef Lecturer Award – Darren Creed, Loughborough College

 

Competition Chef Award – Tom Phillips, Restaurant Story

 

Contract Catering Chef Award – Adam Thomason, Restaurant Associates

 

Culinary Hero Award – Brian Magill, Freezer Friends Initiative

 

Development Chef Award – Gareth Bowen, Cunard

 

Pastry Chef Award – Luis Meza, Hilton London Metropole

 

Pub Restaurant Chef Award – Luke Payne, the Pack Horse

 

Public Sector Chef Award – Matt Lord, ESS

 

Restaurant Chef Award – Adam Smith, Coworth Park

 

Street Food Chef Award – Alec Tomasso, the Weeping Chef

 

Sustainability Excellence Award – Tom and Laurissa Heywood, Pignut Restaurant

 

Young Chef Award – Keira Carolan, Henrock by Simon Rogan

 

New Restaurant of the Year Award – Kioku by Endo

 

Special Award – Clare Smyth MBE