Welcome to Competitions

The Craft Guild of Chefs is proud to celebrate with them.

Here you will find everything you need to know about the various culinary competitions that take place throughout the year - everything from the flagship National Chef of the Year contest through to the specialist Tilda Chef of the Year Competition.

This section will reveal where each is taking place, how you can get involved and those all important winners and runners up.

Current competitions:

Previous competitions:

Latest Competition News

03rd Nov 2025

Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or competition opens registrations for 2026

By: Edward Waddell

This year’s theme is cultural fusion, diversity and innovation. It reflects the dynamic and ever-evolving world of hospitality, encouraging students to embrace new flavours, ideas and perspectives

31st Oct 2025

Ardy Ferguson wins S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition

By: Edward Waddell

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition aims to empower talented young chefs through unparalleled connections with renowned culinary figures, education, mentorship and further networking

31st Oct 2025

Compass Group names Lee Redman as Senior Chef of the Year winner

By: Edward Waddell

The contest, which this year took place at The School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology in Technological University Dublin, showcases the company’s best-in-class culinary talent with an opportunity

30th Oct 2025

RAF chef Stefan Sewell wins Kraft Heinz culinary competition

By: Edward Waddell

The competition, in partnership with chef James Cochran and the Craft Guild of Chefs, saw five finalists battle it out for the coveted top spot. Finalists received one-on-one mentorship from Cochran

More Competitions News

23rd May 2024

Craft Guild vice chair shares tips on how to take good photos for your NCOTY entry

This year the criteria focuses on demonstrating excellent culinary skills across all disciplines, the creative use of local...

23rd May 2024

Welsh chefs strike gold in Sharjah competition

Representing the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), the team finished third overall against eight other countries in the...

16th May 2024

Craft Guild invites 36 chefs to take part in Graduate Awards heats

The Graduate Award is a practical and theory exam which is aimed at chefs aged under 25 who are looking to test their skills...

08th May 2024

Hospitality duo named in Team UK WorldSkills line-up

Ruby, who completed a BTEC in Hospitality at Cardiff and Vale College and now works at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa near Bath...

08th May 2024

Toque d’Or finalists harvest key learnings in ‘farm-to-fork challenge’

Toque d’Or Grand Finals week The challenge was part of an action-packed Toque d’Or Grand Finals week, comprising a series of...

07th May 2024

How can entering the Graduate Awards now help a chef in the future?

The Craft Guild of Chefs recently spoke to Ieuan Davies on an Instagram live. He was the first chef to achieve the pastry and...

07th May 2024

Essential Cuisine partners with Lumina to welcome NCOTY top 3 to Liverpool

The agenda was meticulously crafted to showcase the best of Liverpool's food scene while providing ample opportunities for...

01st May 2024

New Suffolk College wins A Passion to Inspire competition

The trio will be invited to Skills for Chefs 2024 to meet culinary legend Jason Atherton as well as other chefs including...

30th Apr 2024

Stories from the Graduate Awards with Victoria Scupham

What was it that originally made you want to enter the Graduate Awards? My workplace has had chefs enter the competition in...

29th Apr 2024

Craft Guild extends National Chef of the Year entry window

Entries have been extended until Tuesday 28th May. This means chefs still have a month to design and serve up an award...