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

17th May 2021

Compass announces winner of Apprentice Chef of the Year competition

Six chefs from across the businesses competed in a final to win the title and the opportunity for their dish to be cooked at...

14th May 2021

International Salon Culinaire announces winners of seafood challenge

The Major Seafood Challenge, in partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, saw chefs create and cook a seafood main dish...

11th May 2021

YCYW 2020 competition unveils 25 finalists

The live final will take place in May 2021 in four London venues to discover the best young chef and young waiter in the UK...

05th May 2021

Toque d’Or reveals 2021 competition finalists

The heats saw 112 back of house students, apprentices and young professionals from across the country compete for their place...

29th Apr 2021

Craft Guild of Chefs extends Graduate Awards entry deadline

Due to large amounts of the hospitality industry still being closed, the Craft Guild of Chefs has extended its deadline for...

15th Apr 2021

International Salon Culinaire announces winner of cheese starter challenge

The Alsop & Walker Cheese Starter Awards, in partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, saw chefs around the UK produce a...

09th Apr 2021

NCOTY challenges entrants to create menu that tells their story of the 2020 pandemic through food

Chair of judges, Paul Ainsworth has unveiled his brief to an audience of ambitious, determined and talented chefs on a...

06th Apr 2021

Sheffield College student triumphs at Zest Quest Asia - Tilda Challenge 2021

The judges believed the dish went ‘above and beyond every part of the criteria’ with its creativity, good flavour, texture...

31st Mar 2021

Craft Guild of Chefs launches 2021 British Student Culinary Championships

The competition was re-branded from Wessex Salon Culinaire in 2020 and retains its heritage and importance as a key platform...

30th Mar 2021

Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or competition announces heats shortlist

This year saw a record-breaking 956 entries from 40 colleges and 40 businesses. The heats welcome 112 students, apprentices...