Andre Rhone, commis chef at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington has been named ‘Young Apprentice Chef of the Year’ in the Academy of Food and Wine’s annual awards.
Andre, from Northolt, Middlesex fought off tough competition from hundreds of other apprentices participating in the professional body’s awards. The contest saw him take part in a special ‘boot camp’ in Birmingham, which tested his culinary skills to the very limit. Andre was also named runner up in the overall category of Hospitality Apprentice Chef of the Year.
His success in the awards follows the recent achievements of two other young chefs from the London hotel, recognised for their efforts in the catering industry through the Craft Guild of Chefs.
Chris Munroe, the hotel’s chef de partie was welcomed onto the Guild’s Graduate Roll of Honour in October, whilst Emily Webb, demi chef de partie pastry, was chosen to compete in The Craft Guild of Chefs’ Young Chef of the Year finals at the Restaurant Show, Earls Court, London on 11th October.
Commenting on the chefs’ successes, Steve Munkley, executive chef, at the Royal Garden Hotel and vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs said; “I am extremely proud of all of the team. It is not only great for the Royal Garden to have such talented professionals in our restaurants, but with such promising young individuals continuing to come into the industry, it gives it a really great outlook for the future.”
