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

21st Apr 2026

Craft Guild of Chefs announces 37 semi-finalists for Graduate Awards

By: Edward Waddell

Now in its 24th year, the Graduate Awards has been supporting and developing emerging culinary talent since 2002, offering an exciting opportunity for young professionals to test their skills, gain

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

More Competitions News

Danny Young crowned new National Chef of the Year winner

08th Oct 2025

Danny Young crowned new National Chef of the Year winner

The results were celebrated at an awards evening at the iconic Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square. National Chef of the...

Keira Carolan from Henrock wins Young National Chef of the Year title

08th Oct 2025

Keira Carolan from Henrock wins Young National Chef of the Year title

Her winning menu included a starter of Monkfish, Mussels, Nasturtium and Preserved Tomato, a main course of Chicken, Foraged...

03rd Oct 2025

YNCOTY sponsor Allan Reeder inspires finalists at mentor day

This event is a key milestone in the journey to the YNCOTY final and during the day each sponsor could speak to all finalists...

22nd Sep 2025

NCOTY & YNCOTY finalists ‘inspired’ at exclusive mentoring experience

Held at the Odney Club and the Waitrose Food Innovation Studio, the event has become a highlight in the competition’s...

16th Sep 2025

Craft Guild of Chefs celebrates rising stars as 10 chefs achieve Graduate Awards

The results were revealed at a celebratory event hosted at Fortnum & Mason on Monday 15th September, where industry leaders...

15th Sep 2025

Carpigiani gears up to host Gelato Festival World Masters European Final in Italy

Following a series of regional heats held across the globe, more than 40 finalists, including three from the UK, will be...

10th Sep 2025

Craft Guild of Chefs & Eat Wild extend competition entry deadline

Following the resounding success of its inaugural year, the Eat Wild Craft Guild of Chefs competition returns for its second...

05th Sep 2025

Zest Quest Asia 2026 competition opens for entries

The first prize of an all-expenses paid week-long ‘trip of a lifetime’ to a surprise Asian destination should spur on...

02nd Sep 2025

Essential Cuisine launches #ElevateWithEssential competition

Whether chefs are creating a restaurant-quality main course, a comforting bowl of soup, or a globally inspired side dish...

11th Aug 2025

Applications open for renowned Andrew Fairlie Scholarship

The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship provides an ‘unrivalled educational experience’, offering first-hand experience in some of the...