Gareth named Development Chef of the Year at Craft Guild Chef Awards 2025

Winning the Development Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild Chef Awards 2025 was a huge moment for Gareth Bowen. When his name was announced, Gareth was genuinely shocked. “When they started reading out the winner’s citation and mentioned working with chefs like Michel Roux and Nathan Outlaw, I thought, ‘That’s me… surely not!’” he says. But it was!

“Accepting the Development Chef of the Year award was an incredible honor, and am truly humbled by it all. This achievement isn’t just mine; it’s a testament to the relentless passion, creativity, and sheer hard work of an extraordinary team both shoreside and at sea.

“Every innovative dish, every successful menu, every positive customer experience has been a direct result of our collective dedication. From the late-night brainstorming sessions to the early morning prep, each member of the team has brought their unique talents and unwavering commitment to the table, pushing boundaries and consistently exceeding expectations.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every single person within the team. Your collaborative spirit, willingness to experiment, and commitment to excellence are what make us truly exceptional. This award is a shared triumph. Thank you for making this journey so rewarding and for inspiring me every single day.”

Gareth’s culinary career

Gareth’s love for food started at home, where family meals were a time to connect and share stories. At 15, he got his first job washing dishes in a local Italian restaurant. One night, he was asked to help with pizzas and starters, and he loved the busy atmosphere and the team spirit. After trying A-Levels in Psychology, Modern History, and Sociology, Gareth realized his heart was in cooking. He switched to a professional catering diploma, which led to a career that’s lasted over 30 years.

Gareth’s job with Cunard covers everything culinary. He creates new dishes and improves existing recipes for taste, nutrition and quality, while keeping a close eye on food trends and competitors. Gareth also tries out new ingredients and cooking methods to keep things fresh.

He works closely with chefs, marketing, procurement and operations teams. Training galley teams on new recipes and cooking techniques is a big part of his role. Gareth also runs taste tests and checks that everything meets food safety rules. Most importantly, he makes sure every dish fits Cunard’s brand and exceeds guest’s expectation.

No two days are the same for Gareth. When he’s working ashore, he spends time planning projects, meeting with colleagues and working in Cunard’s shoreside dedicated development kitchen. When he travels, Gareth enjoys working with teams onboard, sharing his knowledge and learning from chefs with different backgrounds. His team jokes about Gareth’s love of visiting local supermarkets but it’s where draws inspiration in seeing new and fresh produce.

Gareth has always looked for ways to grow in his career. “As the business changes, you have to change with it. Look for the gap, and try to be better every day,” he says. One important skill he’s learned is to listen without reacting—a big change from the old days when the chef’s word was final. Now, Gareth values open communication and learning from others.

One of Gareth’s most memorable moments was sailing into Southampton on Queen Anne for the first time, straight from the shipyard in Venice. “It was emotional. We’d put years of work and passion into her, and seeing her arrive in her home port was amazing. It felt historic,” Gareth says.

Advice for new chefs

Gareth shares three simple tips for anyone starting out as a chef:

1. Be passionate about food. Cooking is hard work, so you need to love it. Stay curious and keep learning.
2. Start at the bottom and learn everything. Don’t be afraid to begin as a kitchen porter or commis chef. The best chefs know every job in the kitchen.
3. Stay humble and keep learning. There’s always something new to discover, whether it’s a technique, a cuisine, or a leadership skill.