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Paul Ainsworth
Chef-patron, Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 and current Chairman“I am absolutely committed to this role and believe it’s important to lead from the top so my judging will be honest, firm and honourable. As head judge, I’ll be watching semi-finalists and finalists closely during the cook-offs and making sure the team of judges are working hard throughout the two hours to find the right winner. Whilst it’s important this competition remains current, it’s a cooking competition at the end of the day and I want the competitors to produce food that appeals to all five senses. As judges we just want to taste food that makes us say ‘wow’.”
Hear from our Chairman
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Hrishikesh Desai
YNCOTY Chair of judges, executive chef at The Gilpin Hotel and Lake House in Windermere“It is an absolute honour for me to chair the Young National Chef of the Year, these finalists are the upcoming stars of our industry and we want them to be the catalyst for change and inspire their colleagues and peers. Ensuring that this competition could still go ahead in 2020 was an important project for me over the last few months as I know giving positivity, hope and focus to chefs is more important than ever. We had to tweak how we selected the finalists, but we invited a strong group of chefs who have already had success in other competitions; this led to an incredible final.”
Hear from our Chair of judges -
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Gary Jones
Executive Head Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Chairman 2018 and 2019“I am privileged to be the Chair of judges for NCOTY. It’s a competition that has been won by so many talented chefs, has an incredible panel of judges, and receives fantastic support from media, sponsors and partners. I’ll be working with the Craft Guild of Chefs to find new and exciting ways to drive this event forward, whilst ensuring that culinary skills continue to be at the heart of every stage of the competition. It’s this skills focus which make the NCOTY title so credible, and one that so many chefs across the UK aspire to win.”
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Clare Smyth MBE
Chairman of judges and chef patron at three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay“It’s great to have so many fantastic chefs entering and whilst we’ve had some fantastic finals, 2015 was exceptionally high in standard and I think this really was the best ever. I want to encourage chefs from all sectors to take part as it is a great platform to get your name out there”
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Philip Howard
Proprietor of the two Michelin-starred The Square Restaurant“The Craft Guild has put together an exemplary competition, which progresses with the times and requires truly talented chefs to enter in order to do it justice. For those who do, the rewards are immense.”
Judges
Judging panels over the past few years have included the likes of Philip Howard, Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar, Andrew Pern, Cyrus Todiwala, Angela Hartnett, Mark Sargeant, Frederick Forster, John Campbell, Monica Galetti, Vivek Singh, Bruce Poole, Simon Hulstone, Gary Jones, Graham Hornigold, Paul Gayler, Gary Hunter, Henry Harris, Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton, Marcus Wareing, Julie Walsh, Hideko Kawa, Brett Graham, Bruce Poole, Lisa Goodwin-Allen amongst others.
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David Mulcahy
Food Development & Innovation Director
Sodexo UK & Ireland & Vice President of Craft Guild of Chefs
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Sat Bains
Chef Patron
Restaurant Sat Bains
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Simon Hulstone
Chef Patron
The Elephant Restaurant
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Frederick Forster
Head Chef
SOW Restaurants
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William Curley
Pâtissier-Chocolatier
William Curley Ltd
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Stephen Terry
Restaurateur
The Hardwick Arms
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Clare Smyth
Chef/Owner
Core by Clare Smyth
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Claude Bosi
Bibendum restaurant in Chelsea
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Jonny Lake
Chef Patron
Trivet Restaurant
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Mark Birchall
Chef Director
Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms
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James 'Jocky' Petrie
Group Executive Development Chef
Gordon Ramsay Group
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Philip Howard
Chef Patron
Elystan Street
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Ollie Dabbous
Chef & Founder
Hide
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Graham Hornigold
Director
Smart Patisserie
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Daniel Galmiche
Chef Patron
Pot Kiln
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Alyn Williams
Head Chef
Alyn Williams at The Westbury, London
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Julie Walsh
Head Pastry Chef Lecturer
Le Cordon Bleu
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Russell Bateman
Head Chef for Petrus
Former winner of National Chef of the Year
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Lee Westcott
Chef-Owner
Pensons
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Daniel Galmiche
Chef Patron
Pot Kiln
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Luke Selby
Former Young National Chef of the Year
and National Chef of the Year winner
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Hayden Groves
Executive Chef at BaxterStorey
Former National Chef of the Year winner
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Chantelle Nicholson
Chef Patron
Tredwells
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Kuba Winkowski
Former National Chef of the Year winner