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

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...

26th Mar 2021

Craft Guild of Chefs to host NCOTY webinar

The NCOTY competition gives chefs an exciting opportunity to put themselves in the spotlight and show their culinary talent...

25th Mar 2021

Zùsto and Skills for Chefs launch new online competition

Guest judge Ross Sneddon, executive pastry chef at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, said: “Your dessert should be a famous...

19th Mar 2021

International Salon Culinaire announces winners of plant-based dish challenge

The Custom Culinary Plant Forward Challenge, in partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, saw chefs create a main course...