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

31st Jul 2025

10 chefs in running for National Chef of the Year culinary title

By: Edward Waddell

With an exceptionally high standard of entries this year, the competition has once again proven why it remains the title every ambitious chef aspires to win. From creativity and technical skill to

21st Jul 2025

Sixteen young chefs lined up for Le Cordon Bleu London Scholarship final

By: Edward Waddell

A spokesman said that following ‘incredibly competitive semi-finals’, 32 candidates were whittled down to just 16 finalists. “The level of passion for the culinary arts demonstrated by the semi

11th Jul 2025

Rebecca Britton claims Best in Show accolade at 2025 Finishing Touches

By: Edward Waddell

Finishing Touches, which is sponsored by McDougalls, is a competition organised by LACA in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs. The competition is aimed at staff employed in any aspect of

10th Jul 2025

Kraft Heinz launches its first-ever culinary competition with James Cochran

By: Edward Waddell

The competition will give five chefs the chance to receive one-on-one mentorship from Cochran, developing their business acumen and culinary skill before competing in a two-round cook-off. The overall

More Competitions News

06th Mar 2020

Ronnel claims Sodexo Chef of the Year title

He was one of nine finalists who competed in a live cook off at this year’s Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HRC) show at...

06th Mar 2020

Six students reach Young Pastry Chef of the Year final

The six finalists include: Victoria Hollingsworth - The Gleneagles Hotel. Ruth Dowie - Ayrshire College. Chloe Hammond -...

02nd Mar 2020

UK Young Seafood Chef of the Year 2020 opens for entry

College and apprentice chefs have been challenged to create a three-course menu for six covers. Young’s Seafood will provide...

02nd Mar 2020

Young Chef Young Waiter Finals to be hosted at Expo 2020 Dubai

The YCYW competition aims to showcase the best young chefs and waiters in the UK. Past winners include Raymond Blanc, Heston...

02nd Mar 2020

Le Cordon Bleu launches two International Culinary Competitions

All around the world Le Cordon bleu will celebrate the 125th anniversary and their ‘passion for gastronomy’. The Future...

21st Feb 2020

Deadline extended for Oliver Kay Produce vegan competition

The deadline extension enables chefs who have been trialling their new vegan dishes at the start of the year to enter online...

20th Feb 2020

Young Pastry Chef of the Year announces 12 semi-finalists

The overall winner will receive the David Lyell Scholarship, which was set up in memory of the former chairman of Town &...

17th Feb 2020

The British Student Culinary Championships opens for entry

The British Student Culinary Championships will take place on 27-28 May 2020 at Central Bedfordshire College. The event is...

17th Feb 2020

University College Birmingham takes Zest Quest Asia 2020 crown

The team will undertake training in Thai cuisine at the recently launched Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School and meet five...

17th Feb 2020

New City College wins Tilda’s ‘Best Use of Rice’ at Zest Quest Asia

The chef team from Hackney included Rebekah Samuels, Jenai Julien and Denique Cole Johnson. Their Indonesian street food...