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 Apr 2025

Craft Guild of Chefs extends deadline for National Chef of the Year entries

In recent weeks, the Guild has reached out to past National Chef of the Year competitors to ensure that chefs are aware of...

03rd Apr 2025

School chef Amber Francis wins BBC’s Great British Menu competition

Her dessert titled ‘Books, the Mind’s Food’ was voted the favourite dish of this year’s show. Francis swapped school lunches...

31st Mar 2025

Final call for young chefs to enter 2025 Graduate Awards

It has shaped the future of so many talented chefs including Luke Selby, Ruth Hansom, current Young National Chef of the Year...

28th Mar 2025

Compass serves up haul of awards at International Salon Culinaire

Held during Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the event is a highlight of the three-day Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) show...

27th Mar 2025

World Tapas Competition to feature UK heats for first time

Paul Martin, director of UK World Tapas, said: "We are delighted to have secured the license to host the UK heats of the...

26th Mar 2025

Craft Guild of Chefs Culinary Team excels at HRC & ScotHot

With multiple individual and team accolades, the team has proven itself as a powerhouse in the world of competitive...

25th Mar 2025

Carys Williams wins 2025 Springboard FutureChef competition

Held at Capital City College in Westminster on 24th March, the FutureChef final saw 12 of the most talented young chefs from...

25th Mar 2025

Latest Chefs of the Pass episode features top three from YNCOTY competition

Jonny Smith, who was working at Gravetye Manor at the time of the competition, ‘wowed’ the judges and achieved the...

24th Mar 2025

Jessica Erskine takes Gold Best in Class in 2025 Dessert of the Year competition

Erskine, a chef at the House of Commons, earned the coveted Gold Best in Class award for her creation of White Chocolate...

21st Mar 2025

Royal Hampshire County Hospital achieves ‘Best in Class’ at 2025 NHS Chef’s Showcase

Seven teams from the NHS competed in this year’s HCA NHS Chef Showcase, which is part of the International Salon Culinaire...