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

21st Feb 2023

Eastleigh College student reaches final of Major competition

Eastleigh and City of Portsmouth College Hospitality and Catering learners put on an ‘impressive display’ in, what was for...

17th Feb 2023

The search is on for the 2023 National Seafood Chef of the Year

The highly regarded competition created by the Grimsby Institute is now in its 26th year and promises competitors ‘a seafood...

16th Feb 2023

Craft Guild of Chefs aims to celebrate 100 Graduate Award Achievers in 2023

Over the last two decades, the Guild has seen an incredible 93 chefs achieve the pass mark and join an impressive list of...

13th Feb 2023

Craft Guild of Chefs supports HRC

As in previous years, the Craft Guild of Chefs will be there, hosting a variety of competitions and other events. With its...

09th Feb 2023

Finalists announced for Wales’ premier culinary contests

The National Chef of Wales final will contested by nine chefs, including three finalists from last year’s competition. The...

03rd Feb 2023

Compass returns as International Salon Culinaire headline sponsor

With more than 100 live and static challenges across three days, Salon Culinaire is an ‘unmissable opportunity’ for chefs to...

27th Jan 2023

Compass Cymru sponsors young chef at international competition

The competition, which is taking place in India, will begin on 31st January and last until 5th February 2023. At 17-years-old...

25th Jan 2023

Young Pastry Chef of the Year competition offers winner trip to Milan

Following a successful collaboration with Nowah, the UK’s exclusive distributor of Kemplex dough sheeters, the Craft Guild of...

25th Jan 2023

Team UK secures 7th place at Bocuse d’Or 2023 final

Competing against 24 other countries, Team UK, guided by team coach and former candidate Tom Phillips of 2-Michelin starred...

16th Jan 2023

Zest Quest Asia reveals 2023 finalists

Teams from Cheshire College South & West, North Hertfordshire College, UHI North Highland College (Dornoch), The Sheffield...