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

30th May 2018

Craft Guild announces 15 Graduate Awards finalists

Of the 60 entrants, 24 were invited to cook in the London or Sheffield heat last week (23 May), and all currently work in...

25th May 2018

North West Young Chef winner secures spot in YNCOTY semi-final

Having gone head-to-head against the six other finalists, 23 year-old Gabriel impressed judges with his “dogged determination...

18th May 2018

Craft Guild announces 40 National Chef of the Year semi-finalists

After an intensive day of judging, the Craft Guild of Chefs has revealed the 40 chefs we are taking through to the next stage...

11th May 2018

Craft Guild announces 26 Graduate Awards semi-finalists

Open to chefs aged 23 and under, the Kitchen and Pastry Graduate examinations were founded by Craft Guild Vice-President...

30th Apr 2018

Major Series reaches halfway point, as New College Durham hosts third heat

Another day of “exciting heats” saw catering students from New College Durham and Hartlepool College take to the kitchen, as...

29th Mar 2018

Last chance to enter CGOC 2018 Graduate Awards – deadline extension announced!

Created to “provide formal recognition of young chefs’s culinary excellence,” the Graduate Awards are open to chefs under the...

28th Mar 2018

Craft Guild unveils challenging YCOTY brief

With a hugely anticipated wedding taking place on the 19 th May and with the Craft Guild of Chefs being under Royal Patronage...

15th Mar 2018

Major Series crowns 2017/18 winner during Hotelympia grand final

With just one hour to cook and serve two portions of both a pop-up kitchen soup and “modern” chicken dish using Major...

12th Mar 2018

Lexington Catering crowned Tilda Chef Team of the Year

Awarded Silver Best-in-Class, Lexington’s two-man team comprised Tony Stuart and James Garred, who went head-to-head against...

12th Mar 2018

City of Glasgow College celebrates Country Range Student Chef Challenge win

Up against nine other finalists, Glasgow’s winning team consisted of Erin Sweeney, Jordan McKenzie and Lee Christie, who...