Entry Process
The Young National Chef of the Year (YNCOTY) entry process is designed to recognise and celebrate the most promising emerging chefs in the UK. Unlike the senior competition, YNCOTY follows an invitation‑only format, with young chefs earning their place through partner competitions and industry recommendations. Eligible candidates will be contacted directly and invited to submit their menus once entries open, giving them the chance to showcase their creativity, technical skill and understanding. From the moment chefs receive their invitation to the final plate served in the live competition, the YNCOTY entry process offers an exciting opportunity to learn, grow and shine on a national stage.
What to expect
Advice videos
Learn from judges and former competitors including Danny Young and Keira Carolan who have both achieved this title.
The brief
It’s incredibly important that you read the brief in detail as one of the scoring criteria is how closely you have followed the brief.
Competition rules
Before you submit your entry take time to read the full competition rules in detail. This ensures you are fully prepared for what to expect before the cooking stages.
Example entry
Whilst our example entry is from Danny Young for the National Chef of the Year competition in 2025 it does give an idea of the level of detail our judges are looking for.
