What is the Award?

The William Heptinstall Award is made each year to enable a young person to widen his or her culinary experience whilst travelling outside the UK. The Trustee Directors were pleased to increase the value of the Award to £5,000 from 2025, of which £500 should relate to wine education. 

The Award is designed to allow the recipient fully to experience the cuisine of the area to be visited, while undertaking an overseas stage or stages that had already been planned. A review of Previous Winners reports is recommended to understand  the different ways in which the award cn be used by for example supplementing the award with short-term employment opportunities. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Young persons, under the age of 30, who are establishing a career in the catering industry and are normally resident in the United Kingdom are encouraged to apply.  Previous winners are not eligible to re-apply.

How is the winner selected?

Applicants should complete and return the Application Form, together with a short piece on how they would spend the award money if they won.  As explained on the Form, a brief reference from their employer or tutor is also required.

Candidates will be short-listed on the basis of their Application Form and the other material submitted.

The Trustee Directors will invite short-listed candidates for interview in London on a date usually during May - this will not involve a test of practical skills. Following the interviews these candidates will be guests of the Directors for lunch at a top London restaurant.

How may Restaurant and Catering College Management help?

Restaurant Management, Heads of Catering Colleges and Culinary Schools are encouraged to support their young chefs in applying for this Award.  They may do this by completing their section of the Application Form, and by allowing time off to attend the interview and to undertke the stages.  The list of Previous Winners clearly shows the high standards of the sponsoring establishments and the positive influence of this Award on chef employment prospects

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