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

24th Aug 2021

Inspiring Culinary Generations welcomes applications to cookery competition

The cookery competition offers the chance for non-professional cooks to gain recognition for their cooking ability and for...

23rd Aug 2021

Country Range Student Chef Challenge returns

The competition, which has been running for over a quarter of a century, provides the ultimate test for teams of three full...

17th Aug 2021

Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala launch Zest Quest Asia- Panasonic Autumn Challenge

The culinary competition aims to push the usual boundaries by placing technology at its centerpiece. Students, working...

17th Aug 2021

Rational partners with Craft Guild to launch student chef competition

The competition is open to anyone on a recognised catering education course (full or part time). Teams of two will compete...

13th Aug 2021

Twelve chefs revealed as National Chef of the Year finalists

Whittled down from 33 to just 12, the finalists now go on to cook at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu. The final will be aired at a VIP...

10th Aug 2021

Pandemic forces Wales to cancel WorldChefs Global Chefs Challenge

The Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) had to cancel the WorldChefs Global Chefs Challenge, which was scheduled to take...

05th Aug 2021

BSCC offers students first taste of competition experience

A separate entry form must be completed for each competitor and submitted by post to reach the Craft Guild of Chefs by the...

03rd Aug 2021

Nestlé Professional announces Toque d’Or winners

This year the competition judges included former Toque d’Or winner Julie Jones and MasterChef the Professionals winner Louisa...

26th Jul 2021

Knorr Professional launches 2021 Great Roast competition

Celebrating one of the most iconic dishes found on menus across the country, the Great Roast competition returns in 2021 for...

23rd Jul 2021

Young Chef Young Waiter 2020 winners announced

The overall winners of the Young Chef Young Waiter UK and China & South East Asia competition for 2020, were: Peter Meechan...