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

23rd Jan 2014

First Family Food Appreciation Workshops Hailed a Success

Blossomfield Infant and Nursery School in Solihull was the first of six UK schools to pilot the scheme from the fledgling...

23rd Jan 2014

First Sponsors for 2014 Workshops Announced

Welcoming back Uncle Ben’s and Dolmio, Premier, Marks and Spencer and Reynolds, which all supported last year’s scheme...

22nd Jan 2014

Brakes announces regional heats shortlist for Student Chef Team Challenge

These teams will now compete in a live cook-off at one of seven heats held across the UK, including Northern Ireland where...

04th Dec 2013

AWARD-WINNING CHEFS TO TAKE SPOTLIGHT AT HOTELYMPIA SKILLERY

2013 National Chef of the Year, Hayden Groves and Young National Chef of the Year, Ben Champkin are just two of the high...

26th Nov 2013

Budding young chef Hayley Cancea announced as winner of the FutureChef challenge

The 12 finalists earned their place in the national final of the charity’s annual cooking contest by working their way...

25th Nov 2013

Gluten-free Chef of the Year 2013 competition winners announced

His top prize is a week-long stage working with executive chef Andrew Fairlie at the two Michelin-starred Gleneagles. The...

22nd Nov 2013

COMBING THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY FOR WESSEX 2014 COMPETITORS

We have now opened our annual search for chefs who are champing at the bit for the chance to test their skills on a big stage...

18th Nov 2013

Search for the 2014 North West Young Chef of the Year begins in January

The contest, sponsored by Cheshire-based Essential Cuisine, invites young people from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire...

11th Nov 2013

Search is on for competitors for the Wessex Salon Culinaire 2014

The event, organised by the Craft Guild, will take place from May 28-29 at Brockenhurst College in Brockenhurst, Hampshire...

11th Nov 2013

Blue Arrow Chef of the Year 2013 announced

Runners up were Luke Smith, head chef at the Level 39 restaurant in Canada Square for CH&Co, and Gareth Ruck, sous chef at...