The Craft Guild of Chefs has officially opened entries for the National Chef of the Year 2026, the UK’s most prestigious and career-defining culinary competition. Building on its reputation for inspiring excellence and shaping the future of British gastronomy, the Craft Guild of Chefs has revealed its new brief for 2026.
The new Chairs were unveiled live on the Craft Guild of Chefs Instagram with Mark Birchall, chef patron at Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms taking the helm of the National Chef of the Year and Tom Shepherd, owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, based in Staffordshire, chairing Young National Chef of the Year.
In a thrilling finale that brought together the very best of British gastronomy, the Craft Guild of Chefs has officially revealed Danny Young from The Torridon in the Scottish Highlands as this year’s UK National Chef of the Year winner. National Chef of the Year is a prestigious title that every competitive chef wants to win.
The wait is over as the finalists for the Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year 2025 have been revealed, marking a key moment in the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition. The competition has once again proven why it remains the title every ambitious chef aspires to win. From creativity and technical skill to sustainability and flavour, the calibre of dishes on display has been incredible.
The excitement is evident across the UK culinary scene today as the semi-finalists for the prestigious National Chef of the Year competition have been officially revealed. Throughout the day, talented chefs have been receiving their coveted semi-finalist chef jackets as well as gifts from Churchill and Essential Cuisine, marking their place in the top 40.
In recent weeks, the Guild has reached out to past National Chef of the Year competitors to ensure that chefs are aware of the brief and to answer any questions about the entry process. The response to the brief created by Matt Abé has been incredibly positive but there have been several requests for more time for the chefs to complete their menus.
The search for the next National Chef of the Year is officially underway, as the Craft Guild of Chefs partners with Matt Abé to create an inspiring brief for this prestigious competition. The criteria invites chefs to showcase their creativity, culinary skills, and talent in line with this year’s theme: Classic Meets Contemporary.
