Since 1902 International Salon Culinaire has challenged chefs to demonstrate their skills in a live competition environment and provided a hub for the industry to meet, network and discover new opportunities.

Salon chef director Steve Munkley said: “Chefs are in more demand than ever, with the industry crying out for new recruits. HRC and Salon Culinaire give us, the ‘cheffing’ industry, the opportunity to shine and show off our talents, encouraging others to join and make us stronger in the long term.

“Good luck to all competitors, I hope that participating in International Salon Culinaire is both rewarding and enjoyable and gives you an experience and a challenge that will motivate you to reach greater heights in your career.”

This year the Association of Pastry Chefs returns to the competition with Dessert of the Year, challenging chefs to create a beautiful fine dining dessert.

The Tilda Chef Team of the Year challenge will ask teams to create one savoury and one sweet dish using a product from Tilda’s dry rice range, each dish incorporating at least 50% and presented in a street food style.

Judges for the 2025 edition of Salon Culinaire include:

• John Williams MBE, executive chef at The Ritz London
• Will Torrent, senior brand development chef at Waitrose & Partners
• Michelin-starred chef and consultant Daniel Galmiche
• Anjula Devi, consultant chef at Manchester United FC and founder of Anjula Devi Indian Cooking

The Salon Culinaire is supported by Compass Group UK & Ireland as headline partner, as part of the company’s commitment to supporting chefs and driving innovation in the catering and hospitality sector.

Nick Vadis, culinary director at Compass Group UK & Ireland and chef ambassador to the NHS Supply Chain, added: “International Salon Culinaire is an incredibly valuable chance for chefs to expand their skillset, demonstrate their creativity and resourcefulness, and connect with industry peers.

“The competition has been fantastic for chefs across Compass Group who have been able to stand out from the crowd and embrace new opportunities within the business. I can’t wait to see what this year’s competitors bring to the table.”

To find out more about all the competitions at International Salon Culinaire 2025, and for more information on entering, visit here. The deadline for entries is 14th February 2025.