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

03rd Jan 2020

Pidy names finalists for Student Catering Challenge

This year the challenge is encouraging students to reinvent the classic tradition of afternoon tea, using a selection of...

09th Dec 2019

Deadline extended for Country Range Student Chef Challenge

The Country Range Student Chef Challenge, run in conjunction with the Craft Guild of Chefs, enables students to showcase...

19th Nov 2019

Tilda Chef Team of the Year winners to go on Italian trip

In association with the Craft Guild of Chefs as part of the HRC’s Salon Culinaire, the winning chef team will enjoy a two-day...

15th Nov 2019

Final call for Country Range Student Chef Challenge entries

The competition requires teams of three students to plan, prepare and cook a three-course, four-cover menu in 90 minutes. The...

11th Nov 2019

The ‘Heat’ is on as the competition returns for a fourth year

The week-long event is supported by Samphire a relaxed yet polished, casual dining restaurant in Jersey. Heat will see some...

09th Oct 2019

Wessex Salon Culinaire showcases student chefs

Gold award recipients included Louis Haynes from Brockenhurst College for the risotto challenge, Samantha Gibb from...

09th Oct 2019

Craft Guild crowns Young National Chef of the Year 2020

The ten finalists were asked to create two different vegetarian or vegan canapés for the starter and a Norwegian cod main...

08th Oct 2019

Steve Groves named National Chef of the Year 2020

Groves served a menu of red mullet, shellfish mousse and bouillabaisse sauce, followed by a main course of suckling pig...

08th Oct 2019

Country Range Student Chef Challenge opens for registration

Run in partnership with the Craft Guild of Chefs, the Country Range Student Chef Challenge enables catering students to...

24th Sep 2019

Heat 2020 opens for entry

Heat 2020 is open to full-time hospitality students across the UK. This is a unique opportunity for students to be involved...