Themed as 'pure skill, pure talent and pure magic', these were all on parade at the glittering awards ceremony, held at the Lancaster London Hotel on June 24.

The Craft Guild had to draft in extra judges to deliberate and decide the winners of this year's Chef's Oscars.

Craft Guild chairman Andrew Green, who hosted the event for the first time after succeeding Nick Vadis in March, said the standard and number of entries was unbelievably high this year.

"We had six judges to decide between finalists in each category, but this year, we needed extra input, the standard was that high," he said.  "Apprentice Chef, for example, where we had to bring in two extra judges to help decide on a deserving winner.  It sounds like a cliché but this year really was something else in terms of the fantastic calibre of chefs out there."

Thirteen chefs from across the catering industry, plus a special lifetime achiever, walked away with a coveted gong at the high profile ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel.  The eclectic mix of awards up for grabs from the UK's leading chef's association ranged from Contract Catering Chef to Ethnic Chef and New Restaurant of the Year.  Each winner was first nominated by their peers or mentors and then scrutinised by a panel of expert judges.

"We had such a diverse mix of chefs to choose from this year, and each and every winner thoroughly deserves the kudos and prestige that comes with a Craft Guild of Chefs award," said Andrew.  "In football terms, they are officially elevated into the premier league."

Now in their 17th year, the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards aim to reward leading chefs from across the industry, whether they work in a village pub, fine dining restaurant, city university or in contract catering.  They might develop products for national retailers or serve British soldiers.

This year's Special Achievement Award, reserved for one exceptional personality who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole, went to Pierre Koffmann, one of the less than a handful chefs in the UK to have been awarded the ultimate three Michelin stars for his famed restaurant, La Tante Claire.

The award ceremony was attended by more than 600 culinary professionals and Master of the Royal Household and president of the Craft Guild, Air Vice Marshal David Walker OBE.

CRAFT GUILD OF CHEFS AWARD WINNERS 2010:

Photo:  L to R Malcolm Harling - Williams & Falcon Sales & Marketing Director; Simon Hulstone collecting the Restaurant Chef Award on behalf of Sat Bains; Craft Guild chairman Andrew Green.

Click here to watch highlights of the ceremony.