NCOTY Alumni

New for 2026

The Craft Guild of Chefs is proud to introduce the National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) Alumni, an exciting initiative created to honour and celebrate the extraordinary chefs who have taken part in the UK’s most respected culinary competition. This dedicated community shines a light on the stories, achievements and continued journeys of those who have reached the top tiers of NCOTY, from finalists to past winners who have played a role in shaping the competition’s legacy.

For more than five decades, the NCOTY competition has served as a springboard for some of the UK’s most influential culinary talents. While taking home the title is a career‑defining milestone, many chefs say their NCOTY journey, whether receiving their first competition jacket, progressing through multiple attempts, or finally reaching the top ten, has been one of the most meaningful experiences of their professional lives. The Alumni programme captures and celebrates these moments, recognising that accomplishment at any stage of NCOTY represents dedication, innovation and exceptional skill.

The NCOTY Alumni has been developed to create opportunities long after the competition itself. Members gain access to powerful PR exposure, exclusive networking events, judging opportunities, thought‑leadership platforms and ongoing social media support. It is a community designed not only to celebrate the chefs who have shaped the competition’s past, but to continue inspiring and supporting them as they shape the future of the UK culinary world.

Meet your NCOTY alumni

Mark BiRchall

Chair of Judges, National Chef of the Year 2026

“To be the next Chair of judges for National Chef of the Year is really humbling. I’m passionate about inspiring first-time entrants and encouraging previous competitors to return and hopefully my experience of judging and the work I’ve done in my own restaurants, and the wider industry will help inspire chefs to get involved. Competitions like this are so important for progression, increasing confidence and helping chefs to grow within their team so I’d recommend it to any ambitious chef looking for a challenge in 2026.”

Tom Shepherd

Chair of Judges, Young National Chef of the Year 2026

“Chairing Young National Chef of the Year is a true honour. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work with some of the UK’s most respected chefs and these experiences shaped my approach to cookery. That’s why I recognise the importance of nurturing and celebrating young talent. Giving back to the industry through such a prestigious competition is something I’m really looking forward to working on especially alongside Mark and Cherish who I know will also have a big impact on these events.”

Cherish Finden

Chair of Judges, Young & National Chef of the Year 2026

“I think it’s fantastic that the Guild is bringing me in to lead the pastry judging for both competitions. Having a head judge, who is solely focused on desserts, celebrates the importance of pastry skills in this competition. Alongside other industry experts, we’ll be on the hunt for dishes that truly nail the brief, combining technical precision with creativity and exceptional flavour.”

Our ambassadors

Matt Abé

Chair of Judges, National Chef of the Year 2024 and 2025

“With Gordon being a former National Chef of the Year winner and having judged it previously myself, I know it’s a competition that is very much on most chef’s radar. I’m so proud to be the Chair of Judges and see what I can bring to the event. I want to push new things and continue to grow this amazing competition, celebrating the incredible talent that we have in the UK”

RUSSELL BATEMAN

Chair of Judges, Young National Chef of the Year 2024 and 2025

“I absolutely love these competitions and so this is a real honour for me to lead the judging process for Young National Chef of the Year. Nurturing young talent is something I am extremely passionate about and having chaired the Graduate Awards previously it seems the right next step to take to follow and support these young chefs’ journeys.”

Lisa Goodwin-Allen

Executive Head Chef at Northcote and 2022 and 2023 Chair of Judges for YNCOTY

“I’ve always been fully invested in these competitions as I know the huge role they play in both celebrating and attracting culinary talent. Supporting and mentoring young chefs is an absolute passion of mine so I am honoured to lead the way in judging Young National Chef of the Year for a second year running. We see chefs go on a real journey in YNCOTY and for many entering this competition is the start of dramatic changes in their careers. It helps a young chef to develop skills, grow as a person and give them confidence to take on the next stage of their career. None of this would be possible without the team of organisers and sponsors who drive this forward every year.”

Kenny Atkinson

Chef Proprietor at the Michelin-starred restaurant, House of Tides in Newcastle and 2022 and 2023 Chair of Judges for NCOTY

“It’s my second year as Chair of judges and I am absolutely raring to go again! Last year we crowned an incredible winner in Ben after an extremely hotly contested final and I’m confident we’re in for another thrilling event. It’s known as the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition for a reason as it attracts the best chefs, judges and sponsors in the industry. We all have an important role to play over the next eight months by shining the spotlight on the inspirational chefs who enter, those who make the semis and final, and ultimately the winner.”

Hrishikesh Desai

Chef Patron at Farlam Hall Hotel and Restaurant and 2020 – 2021 YNCOTY Chair of judges

“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.”

Paul Ainsworth

Chef Patron, Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 and 2020 and 2021 Chair of Judges

“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’.”

Clare Smyth MBE

Chef Patron at Core by Clare Smyth and Chairman of judges in 2015 and 2016

“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”

Gary Jones

Consultant Chef and 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.”

Philip Howard

Chef / Proprietor of Elystan Street

“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.”

Our judges

The Judging panels over the past few years have included:

Adam Handling

Chef / Owner Adam Handling Restaurant Group

Aktar Islam

Chef Director / Owner
Opheem

Anthony Demetre

Chef Patron Wild Honey

Damien Wager

Pastry Academy UK

David Mulcahy

Vice President Craft Guild of Chefs

Denis Drame

Head of Culinary and Development Classic Fine Foods UK

Gary Hunter

Founder and Director of Hunters Academy of Food and Hunters Chocolate

George Blogg

Culinary Director Hever Castle

James Knappett

Chef Patron Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs

Jonny Bone

Head Chef Core by Clare Smyth

Lisa Goodwin Allen

Executive Head Chef
Northcote Manor

Matt Owens

Chairman Association of Pastry Chefs
Development Chef for Alliance Group

Paul Askew

Chef Patron
The Art School Restaurant

Paul Foster

Chef Patron
Salt

Paul Walsh

Executive Chef
City Social

“This competition continues to be a launchpad for culinary talent. The energy, passion and precision we saw at the 2025 final was inspiring for everyone involved”

"It felt a good time in my career to test myself at the highest level and enter National Chef of the Year. I'm delighted I managed to win on my first attempt, especially with such amazing feedback, and now I've joined an illustrious list of winners."

"It’s been an honour to Chair this competition for the last two years. The high number and standard of entries, dedication and level of cooking I’ve witnessed has been a joy to see and I look forward to following these finalists’ culinary careers."