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

19th Jul 2021

National Chef of the Year competition narrows field to 33

For the next round, these 33 will be invited to present a small signature dish of their choice via video which should reflect...

15th Jul 2021

Chefs challenged to twist ‘Best of British’ in YNCOTY

The criteria for the three courses centres around ‘British themed dishes’ with a twist. Here, the ‘sky is the limit’ for a...

07th Jul 2021

Craft Guild reveals 13 finalists for Graduate Awards

The heats were were observed by former National Chef of the Year winner, Russell Bateman who heads up the Kitchen exam and...

24th Jun 2021

Essential Cuisine crowns ‘turn up the heat’ competition winner

Chefs were tasked with submitting their ‘hero summer dish’ to be in with a chance of winning a commercial kitchen appliance...

24th Jun 2021

YCYW 2021 final to be hosted by UK at Expo 2020 Dubai

They will be joined by judges including Michelin star chef Theo Randall, Theo Randall at the InterContinental and Simon King...

22nd Jun 2021

International Salon Culinaire announces winners of Bidfood Lamb Challenge

The Lamb Challenge, sponsored by Bidfood, asked chefs to create and cook a main course lamb dish using any cut of lamb with...

14th Jun 2021

Compass Group wins Tilda Chef Team of the Year competition

The winning team from 14forty- the facilities management multiservice specialist at Compass Group UK & Ireland- included...

08th Jun 2021

Young Pastry Chef of the Year 2020/21 crowns winner

She created a white chocolate bavarois with lemon puree, crisp lemon sponge, dill, pickled cucumber served in a decorated...

07th Jun 2021

Tilda Chef Team of the Year 2021 competition reveals finalists

The finalists will have 45 minutes to prepare four portions of a main course and dessert using rice at the heart of both...

04th Jun 2021

Craft Guild of Chefs names 33 young chefs advancing to Graduate Awards semi-finals

The Graduate Awards offer chefs aged under 25 the chance to improve their culinary skills, build confidence and the...