While flavour combinations and taste are top priority for the chefs in the grand final, Churchill, one of the sponsors of the competition, said the detail that goes into presentation creates a visual feast for onlookers, and, now in its third year, this award celebrates the chefs’ presentation skills on its tableware.

Previously decided by the company’s head of new product development, this year the award will be a ‘people’s choice’ via social media giving everyone the opportunity to get involved and interact with the competition.

Voting will be across Churchill’s three social media channels and a picture of each course from each finalist will be posted from the final on 7th October from 1pm onwards as they are presented.

To vote all of the below will count:
Twitter: All retweets & favorites
Facebook: Likes & shares
Instagram: Likes

To be counted, votes must be cast on Churchill’s accounts: Twitter: @churchill1795 – Facebook: /churchill1795 – Instagram: churchill_1795

All voting will be cut off at 4pm and then counted across all three courses for each finalist. The presentation with the most votes will win. All tweets relating to the award will feature #NCOTYGetInvolved

Churchill PR Manager Donna Frosdick said: “The competition is such an important event in the UK chef calendar, and its prestigious nature means people are really interested in seeing the final dishes. By opening up the award to public judging, it’s a great way for everyone to get involved in the final by voting for their favourites.”

Previous winners include David Bush in 2013 and Hayden Groves in 2012. This year’s prize is a framed award plate and £250 worth of Churchill branded product.