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

26th Mar 2026

Graduate Awards extend entry deadline to increase opportunity for young chefs

By: Edward Waddell

Entries will now close on Tuesday 7th April 2026, giving kitchens across the UK an extra week to encourage younger members of their teams to take part. Further information and entry details can be

24th Mar 2026

National Chef of the Year extends entry deadline following demand from chefs

By: Edward Waddell

The extension until midnight on Monday 20th April 2026 not only supports chefs who have already begun working on their menus but also opens the door for those who have not yet started an entry, giving

17th Mar 2026

Nestlé Professional reveals 12 finalists for 2026 Toque d’Or competition

By: Edward Waddell

The competition is supported by industry partners including Russums and Savoy Educational Trust, who help champion the development of emerging talent across the hospitality sector. Led by chef Kate

17th Mar 2026

UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year reveals 5 finalists

By: Edward Waddell

The road to restaurant excellence reached a ‘thrilling milestone’ at Lainston House in Winchester, where the semi-final of the UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year 2026 unfolded in ‘spectacular

More Competitions News

18th Oct 2023

Compass reveals Senior & Young Chef of the Year winners

Held at a Cookery School in Winchester, the contest shows off the company’s best-in-class culinary talent with an opportunity...

17th Oct 2023

Country Range Student Chef Challenge lead judge encourages colleges to enter

Taking place on the 16th November at 3:30pm, Basten will hold a Q&A session to enable interested lecturers and students to...

11th Oct 2023

Sam Dixon wins Young National Chef of the Year title

He took the top spot after a hotly contested final at the University of West London under close surveillance from the panel...

11th Oct 2023

Alex Angelogiannis wows judges to take top spot in National Chef of the Year competition

Finalists showcased their skills in an intense cook-off at the University of West London under the eyes of some of the...

09th Oct 2023

Zest Quest Asia opens for entry

The annual competition has awarded ten teams composed of three students and their tutor with a first prize ‘trip of a...

29th Sep 2023

Compass names Apprentice Chef of the Year winner

Held at the Compass Group headquarters in Chertsey, each finalist was presented with a box of mystery ingredients and then...

20th Sep 2023

MKN to provide cooking equipment for IKA Culinary Olympics

The German manufacturer will be equipping the 16 competition kitchens with premium cooking appliances, including the...

15th Sep 2023

Seafood from Norway joins forces with Simon Hulstone during YNCOTY mentor day

Hosted at the Waitrose Food Innovation Studio, the finalist mentor day is a ‘pivotal cornerstone’ of the competition as it...

12th Sep 2023

Craft Guild of Chefs celebrates over 100 Graduate Awards achievers after 2023 campaign

The results were revealed at a VIP Awards evening at Fortnum & Mason in front of examiners, sponsors, the media and industry...

08th Sep 2023

Waitrose welcomes top UK chefs to its Food Innovation Studio

The annual mentor day brought competitors, judges, organisers and sponsors under one roof to prepare for the final which will...