As the UK’s most prestigious and respected culinary contest The National Chef of the Year shines a spotlight on the fresh talent coming out of the kitchen in 2018. Since it launched in 1972, previous winners like Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams, David Everitt-Matthias and Mark Sargeant have seen how it helps fast-track careers to put winners firmly on the map, and on the path to Michelin stars.

But this isn’t about style over substance: only the best, most innovative and creative chefs get a shot at the title – and an award that opens doors to future success.

Winning this competition is all about the chefs’ individual performances on the day in front of a panel of respected judges. It is not based on their personality or past triumphs, but on culinary skills and interpretation of the ingredients they demonstrate when the heat is on!

the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition

also including

Partner with us

Association of your brand with these prestigious awards will mean that your business and products are showcased to the elite of the UK chef sector. Activation of brand presence throughout the event – from entry drive to semi finals, the mentor day, the final to the Awards Celebration as well as additional communication throughout the wider promotion within the NCOTY promotional campaign – will ensure guaranteed placement of product in the hands of decision makers in the Hospitality sector, as well as direct networking with potential clients.

Benefits• To be aligned and associated with the UK’s most prestigious

culinary competitions.

• Brand exclusivity – to be an exclusive sponsor brand alignedwith NCOTY & YNCOTY.

• The opportunity to establish and develop long termrelationships between the chef community and like-mindedindustry suppliers.

• Through the competitions structure, it supports and drives personal development, engages competitors in a networkwhich has proved invaluable. As a sponsor you form partof this process.

• Opportunity to develop bespoke video content and website content.

• A number of opportunities to engage with and developrelationships with competitors, fellow sponsors, judges and other stakeholders.

• Opportunities to attend the official NCOTY & YNCOTY eventsincluding sponsors network lunch, mentor days, semi finalevents, the final and announcement of winners as well asthe awards party event.

• The National & Young National Chef of the Year competitions are unique in that they offer sponsors ‘tailored packages’and opportunities where they can engage throughout theentire campaign.

Developments for 2018…• An all encompassing content-led marketing campaign.

• Engaging with the 10 finalists to create PR opportunities e.g. regional coverage, social content, journo featurecomments, Instagram takeovers, thought leadership.

• Bespoke videos with sponsors used – as Facebook videos,tweets and on YouTube.

• Blogs from competitors, judges, sponsors, organisersand recognised chefs.

• A variety of other social media content supplied by sponsors and shared with Craft Guild of Chefs followers.

• Investigate consumer media opportunities throughResponse Source and #JournoRequest to show thoughtleadership of the competition, its partners and competitors.

• Engage with our chef / judges community by encouragingjudges to tweet / sharing copy and photos.

NCOTY & YNCOTY in Numbers• The Craft Guild of Chefs Twitter account now has a following

of over 16,500 – creating more awareness than ever.

• 2017 reached a press article reach of 30,656,369, with 273 cuttings during 2017 mentioning both NCOTY & YNCOTY.

• 6,370 tweets with the hashtag #NCOTY from 1,329 accounts.

• 3,201 tweets with the hashtag #YNCOTY from 756 accounts.

• The #NCOTY and #YNCOTY hashtags had a reach of1,300,000 for the final.

• NCOTY Facebook posts reached a total of 633,942.

• There is now a total of 78 videos on the CGC channel.At the time of the final, 3,427 videos were viewed, adding up to 4,440 minutes.

“The competition programme allows more access to participants & between sponsoring partners than any other in the UK.” David Mulcahy, Competition Director & Vice President, Craft Guild of Chefs

Engage

Promoting your PartnershipYour close association with the NCOTY & YNCOTY brand will be promoted in an assertive and all-encompassing PR and marketing campaign to the extensive readerships of our industry titles. Everywhere the NCOTY & YNCOTY logo goes your logo and brand association will go too, and we’ll provide you with our logo for your print and digital assets.

We will also promote your involvement through social media, inviting you to engage with us and our audience through Twitter. Your profile will reach our entire industry and be seen as a sponsor for the UK’s most respected and leading culinary competition.

Our WinnersLuke Selby, Head Chef of a new venture with Ollie Dabbous

“To have my name alongside the past winners, all of whom are chefs I have always looked up to, is something that I will always be hugely proud of. I therefore feel honoured to have taken the title of NCOTY this year as it has always been an ambition of mine to go for the senior title ever since winning YNCOTY back in 2014 as I have seen the doors it opens.”

Delighted with his 2017 win, James Devine, Sous Chef, EIPIC, Belfast commented:

“I’m honoured, I never expected to win or to come this far. Today went well for me, I kept calm and was pleased with the way all my dishes came out. Each dish was something I’d happily eat or serve up. Right now, I feel humbled and very excited at the same time.”

“I never thought I was good enough, the standard (of the competition) is so high. The first year I reached the final, I thought, OK, the second year, I thought, OK, but the third year I really had to push the boundaries. It’s not just about winning, it’s about your career and what the title can do for it.”

Larry Jayasekara, 2016 winner, Head Chef at Petrus, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

“I would never have envisaged before becoming The National Chef of the Year – it’s amazing what doors are suddenly opened for you once your profile is raised.”

Simon Hulstone, 2008 winner, Michelin Star Chef & Chef Patron, The Elephant Restaurant

“I am very humbled but also extremely proud to now be amongst so many great names in the industry that have won the title over the years.”

Alyn Williams, 2012 winner, Michelin Star Chef & Head Chef, Alyn Williams at The Westbury

“It is a huge honour to win NCOTY and to be recognised by the fantastic line up of judges was also a massive boost for me personally. I gained more from the NCOTY than I could have believed possible at the beginning of my journey. I will take my experience back to the kitchen at Colette’s and use it to continue to grow as a Chef.

Russell Bateman, 2014 winner, Head Chef at Colette’s Restaurant, The Grove Hotel

NCOTY Title Holders

The ProgrammeAn all-encompassing PR and marketing campaign, planned throughout the year with specific messages and objectives. Working with key industry titles at certain times as well as creating our own content with relevant and worthy news. As a sponsor you have opportunities at specific touch-points within the campaign to engage and support the competition – whether this be from raising branding visibility and / or developing relationships with the chef committee, judges, competitors and entire industry.

Entry GenerationFebruary to April

Open to all chefs over the age of 24 as of April 1st 2018, from across all sectors of the industry. Entrants are required to devise an innovative menu for four people.

Promoted through national and regional press, adverts in all trade related publications, social media, online banners, email blasts, a telemarketing campaign, promotional leaflets distributed through industry events and exhibitions as well as personalised invitations sent to over 500 of the UK’s leading restaurants.

Full industry reach - a content-led campaign with specific blogs appearing on the website as well supported extensively through industry titles such as The Caterer, Restaurant Magazine, Staff Canteen, Big Hospitality, Chef and many more.

PR Reach - Competition launch and coverage of the competitions during entry drive has a reach of 1,426,167. 

Social Media - During the entry drive there was 982 tweets with the hashtag #NCOTY from 342 accounts.

2018 Luke Selby

2017 James Devine

2016 Larry Jayasekara

2014 Russell Bateman

2013 Hayden Groves

2012 Alyn Williams

2011 Frederick Forster

2010 Hrishikesh Desai

2008 Simon Hulstone

2006 Eyck Zimmer

2004 Steve Love

2002 Mark Sargeant

2000 Bruce Sangster

1998 Kevin Viner

1996 David Everitt-Matthias

1994 Lou Jones

1992 Gordon Ramsay

1990 Roger Narbett

1988 Mark Gregory

1986 David Pitchford

1984 Robert Maybe

1982 William Stafford

1980 Ken Whibly

1978 Paul Brady

1976 Eddie van Meille

1974 Bryan Price

1972 Pierre Jacquemin

A judging panel of over 40 respected chefs within the industry are selected for all elements of the competition from paper judging to semi finals and the final.

Brand access / visibility and networking to all judges throughout the process.

Paper JudgingMay 2018

Expert judges receive the entry forms and convene to make their selection, ensuring all entries go through a rigorous process prior to being accepted as semi finalists.

Announcement of Semi FinalistsMay 2018

Announced to the industry through national and regional press, adverts, advertorial as well as an online and social media campaign.

Full industry reach – a content-led campaign with specific blogs appearing on the website as well as supported extensively through industry titles such as The Caterer, Restaurant Magazine, Staff Canteen, Big Hospitality, Chef and many more.

PR Reach - The announcement of who would be in the NOCTY final and features around semi finalists had a reach of 6,605,596.

Social Media - For the week leading up to and following the semi finals announcement there was 432 tweets with the #NCOTY hashtag with 256 on the day of the big announcement.

Semi FinalsJune 2018

Regional heats hosting 40 semi finalists. Sponsors are invited to meet all semi finalists, the judging team, visiting members of the Guild and media.

Direct engagement access to all semi finalists, with a PR Reach of 5,843,500 and Twitter reach of 1,266,867.

Mentor DaySeptember 2018

No other competition within the UK, at this level, includes such a highly motivational activity aimed at ensuring competitors are fully prepared for the task ahead.

The official launching of the mystery basket gives competitors the opportunity to engage with key competition mentors, judges, sponsors and effectively focus on all aspects of the final - preparing them for the process. All ingredients and products are on display for competitors to handle and ask any relevant questions. Sponsors are given the opportunity to present to all competitors (with the possibility of hosting a specific masterclass, if relevant to the product on the day).

Direct Engagement - access to all finalists for NCOTY & YNCOTY.

Social Media - #NCOTY reached 274,171 Twitter accounts.

The Final The Restaurant Show – 2nd October 2018

As the industry’s leading trade show, attracting over 11,500 industry buyers, it is fitting that the live final should take place at The Restaurant Show. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the show, network with fellow colleagues, meet new and existing suppliers as well as experience the excitement of the intense cook-off where the finalists will compete in this highly charged atmosphere for the coveted National Chef of the Year title.

The Restaurant Show promotes the competition extensively within its own campaign, with a Twitter account following of 10,700 and over the week of the show had a reach of 2,900,000.

Announcement of the WinnersA prestigious Awards Ceremony to announce the winners, serving canapés and Champagne, will be hosted at The Stage, at The Restaurant Show from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday 2nd October. Attended by all competitors, sponsors, trade press, ambassador judges and key industry members. The event will be by invitation only to ensure a select and targeted audience.

Access to 200 industry professionals within the chefing community, by this invitation -only event hosted at The Restaurant Show announcing the winners. Key Media attendance and social media is at it’s high – the pinnacle of the competition.

PR Reach - The post final coverage of NCOTY & YNCOTY has had a reach of 2,360,903 so far.

 Social Media Reach - The #NCOTY & #YNCOTY hashtags had a reach of 1,300,000 for the final.

New - The winners announcement was live streamed via Twitter resulting in 1,207 viewers, with 1,428 media views and 867 engagements.

VIP Awards CelebrationFollowing the Awards Announcement all finalists, sponsors, media and judges are invited to attend an exclusive VIP celebration at Fortnum & Mason, in Piccadilly to mark the new NCOTY & YNCOTY Winners. Mosimann’s, the House of Commons, Quo Vadis, The Square and Harrods Food Hall have all played host in recent years for this prestigious evening.

Access to 150 top industry professionals, exclusive networking evening.

Entrants from over 500 establishments have entered from the likes of... Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Amadeus, D&D London, Auberge du Lac, Automat, Balans Restaurant, BaxtorStorey, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Benares Restaurant and Bar, Bill’s, Bone Daddies Ltd, Boulevard Events, Brasserie Blanc Ltd, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Buddha Bar Knightsbridge, Butchershop Bar and Grill, Café Royal Hotel, Cannizaro House, Chateau Rhianfa, CH&co, Chewton Glen, Chez Amis, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise, Claytons Kitchen @ The Porter, Restaurant Associates, Coast Restaurant, Colette’s Restaurant, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Crewe Hall Hotels, Cucina Restaurants, Culcreuch Castle Hotel, Dabbous, D&D Group, Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Delaware North, Wembley Stadium, De Vere Academy of Hospitality, Drakes Restaurant, Drapers Company, Drapers Hall, Elephant Restaurant, Elior UK, Ember Yard Tavern, Levy, Restaurants UK, Fullers Smith & Turner PLC, Galvin at Windows, German Gymnasium, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House Windermere, Gordon Ramsay Holding, Grassington House Hotel, House of Tides, Greene King, Gymkhana, Harvey Nichols, Heritage Portfolio, Hilton Hotels, House of Commons, Intercontinental London Park Lane, J&G Global, Judges Country House Hotel, Karpo, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kitchen W8, La Trompette, Landmark Hotel London, Las Iguanas (Casual Dining Group), Le Champignon Sauvage, L’Enclume Restaurant, Lebowskis, Lexington Catering, L’Horizon Beach & Hotel Spa, Lima, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Lusso Ch&Co, Mallory Court Hotel, Mango Lounge, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Marriott Hotel, Maxim’s Casino, Mercedes F1 Headquarters, Merrill Lynch, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, Mint Hotel Bristol, Nomura, Otto Restaurant, Paesan, Papillon Brasserie, Pearl Restaurant & Bar, Petrus - Gordon Ramsay, Piano Kensington, Piquet Restaurant, Plateau Restaurant, Provenance Inns, Provenance Inns, Punchbowl Inn, RAF, Read’s Restaurant with Rooms, Restaurant Associates, Restaurant 23, Restaurant Adam Handling, Restaurant Chez Amis, Restaurant Marcus, Retro Bistro, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Rhubarb, Ribble Valley Inns, Rocksalt Restaurant, Roehampton Club, Rose and Crown Trent, Royal Air Force Worthy Down, Royal Automobile Club, Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Runnymede on Thames, Saffron, Salt, Sandringham Yacht Club, Saunton Sands, Savoy Hotel, Silks Bistro, Simpsons Restaurant, Sodexo, Sodexo at Eton College, Sodexo Prestige, Soho House & Co, Sonny’s Kitchen, Southampton City College, Southwold Pier, Boardwalk Restaurant, St Ermins Hotel, St Michael Manor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ston Easton Park, Strattons Hotel, Temple Sowerby House Hotel, Thackeray’s, The Ampersand Hotel, The Angel Inn at Hetton, The Auberge Restaurant, The Balmoral Hotel, The Bell at Ramsbury, The Bull at Great Totham, The Butchers Shop Bar and Grill, The Chase Golf, Health Club & Spa, The Chester Grosvenor, The Chequers of Orwell, The Chequers, Gedney Dyke, The Cinnamon Club, The Compleat Angler, The Design House Restaurant, The Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester Hotel, The Dove Restaurant, The Feathered Nest Inn, The Forestside, The Green Room Restaurant, The Harp Inn, The Honourable Society Of Lincoln’s Inn, The Hunter S, The Journeyman Restaurant, The Kitchen Table, The Ledbury Restaurant, the Little Mill Inn, The Manor at Weston on the Green, The Marquis of Westminster, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, The Millbrook Inn, The Montague Arms, The Mount Hotel, The National Café, Peyton & Byrne, The Nut Tree Inn, The Old Bank Hotel, The Old Mill, Berkhamstead, The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham, The Park Lane Hotel London, The Peasant, The Peat Inn, The Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Red Lion, The Ritz London, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, The Sandrock, The Savoy, The Square, The Star Inn, The Swan Hotel, The Trafalgar Hotel, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Vine & Spice, The Wolseley, Trump International Scotland, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Turnberry Hotel, UCB - College of Food, Riverside Restaurant, University of York, Vacherin, West Bromwich Albion FC, Wright Brothers Oyster House, Wyck House Hotel & Spa, Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, York College…

The Search for the UK’s Top Young Chef Talent is on!Young National Chef of the Year represents the most talented pool of young chefs in the UK, taking in the winners of accredited and recognised young chef competitions around the UK.

David Mulcahy, the Competition Director & Vice President of the Craft Guild of Chefs, says, “Young National Chef of the Year supersedes all other young chef contests as it brings together those identified as the best young chefs in the industry and gives them a platform on which to build their future careers. Not only does it celebrate young talent but it ensures that the young chefs are mentored and supported throughout, enabling them to achieve their best in the final. Winning Young National Chef of the Year firmly establishes a chef as a rising star of the culinary world both in the UK and beyond.”

The Selection ProcessThe overall winners from the British Culinary Federation, the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Awards of Excellence, World Skills UK and the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Graduate Award are automatically seeded a place in the final.

The remaining six finalists will be revealed following the semi finals, to which 20 young chefs from recognised, industry competitions will be invited to compete. To get a place in the semi final young chefs must have already wowed the judges in one of these competitions or examinations over the last year:

• South West Young Chef of the Year• The Master Chefs of Great Britain Young Chef of the Year• Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Chef• North West Chef of the Year• Young Scottish Chef of the Year• Young North East Chef of the Year• Guernsey Young Chef of the Year• Young Welsh Chef of the Year• Young Grampian Chef of the Year• UK Skills runner up• Craft Guild of Chefs’ Graduate Award

Being crowned as Young National Chef of the Year is a highly sought after prize, but as well as going home with this prestigious accolade, the winner will also receive some incredible stagiaires and PR opportunities that will truly raise their profile in the industry. This year’s winner will be revealed along with The National Chef of the Year at an awards ceremony following The Restaurant Show on Tuesday 2nd October 2018.

Entrants from over 500 establishments have entered from the likes of... Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Amadeus, D&D London, Auberge du Lac, Automat, Balans Restaurant, BaxtorStorey, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Benares Restaurant and Bar, Bill’s, Bone Daddies Ltd, Boulevard Events, Brasserie Blanc Ltd, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Buddha Bar Knightsbridge, Butchershop Bar and Grill, Café Royal Hotel, Cannizaro House, Chateau Rhianfa, CH&co, Chewton Glen, Chez Amis, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise, Claytons Kitchen @ The Porter, Restaurant Associates, Coast Restaurant, Colette’s Restaurant, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Crewe Hall Hotels, Cucina Restaurants, Culcreuch Castle Hotel, Dabbous, D&D Group, Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Delaware North, Wembley Stadium, De Vere Academy of Hospitality, Drakes Restaurant, Drapers Company, Drapers Hall, Elephant Restaurant, Elior UK, Ember Yard Tavern, Levy, Restaurants UK, Fullers Smith & Turner PLC, Galvin at Windows, German Gymnasium, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House Windermere, Gordon Ramsay Holding, Grassington House Hotel, House of Tides, Greene King, Gymkhana, Harvey Nichols, Heritage Portfolio, Hilton Hotels, House of Commons, Intercontinental London Park Lane, J&G Global, Judges Country House Hotel, Karpo, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kitchen W8, La Trompette, Landmark Hotel London, Las Iguanas (Casual Dining Group), Le Champignon Sauvage, L’Enclume Restaurant, Lebowskis, Lexington Catering, L’Horizon Beach & Hotel Spa, Lima, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Lusso Ch&Co, Mallory Court Hotel, Mango Lounge, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Marriott Hotel, Maxim’s Casino, Mercedes F1 Headquarters, Merrill Lynch, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, Mint Hotel Bristol, Nomura, Otto Restaurant, Paesan, Papillon Brasserie, Pearl Restaurant & Bar, Petrus - Gordon Ramsay, Piano Kensington, Piquet Restaurant, Plateau Restaurant, Provenance Inns, Provenance Inns, Punchbowl Inn, RAF, Read’s Restaurant with Rooms, Restaurant Associates, Restaurant 23, Restaurant Adam Handling, Restaurant Chez Amis, Restaurant Marcus, Retro Bistro, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Rhubarb, Ribble Valley Inns, Rocksalt Restaurant, Roehampton Club, Rose and Crown Trent, Royal Air Force Worthy Down, Royal Automobile Club, Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Runnymede on Thames, Saffron, Salt, Sandringham Yacht Club, Saunton Sands, Savoy Hotel, Silks Bistro, Simpsons Restaurant, Sodexo, Sodexo at Eton College, Sodexo Prestige, Soho House & Co, Sonny’s Kitchen, Southampton City College, Southwold Pier, Boardwalk Restaurant, St Ermins Hotel, St Michael Manor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ston Easton Park, Strattons Hotel, Temple Sowerby House Hotel, Thackeray’s, The Ampersand Hotel, The Angel Inn at Hetton, The Auberge Restaurant, The Balmoral Hotel, The Bell at Ramsbury, The Bull at Great Totham, The Butchers Shop Bar and Grill, The Chase Golf, Health Club & Spa, The Chester Grosvenor, The Chequers of Orwell, The Chequers, Gedney Dyke, The Cinnamon Club, The Compleat Angler, The Design House Restaurant, The Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester Hotel, The Dove Restaurant, The Feathered Nest Inn, The Forestside, The Green Room Restaurant, The Harp Inn, The Honourable Society Of Lincoln’s Inn, The Hunter S, The Journeyman Restaurant, The Kitchen Table, The Ledbury Restaurant, the Little Mill Inn, The Manor at Weston on the Green, The Marquis of Westminster, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, The Millbrook Inn, The Montague Arms, The Mount Hotel, The National Café, Peyton & Byrne, The Nut Tree Inn, The Old Bank Hotel, The Old Mill, Berkhamstead, The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham, The Park Lane Hotel London, The Peasant, The Peat Inn, The Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Red Lion, The Ritz London, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, The Sandrock, The Savoy, The Square, The Star Inn, The Swan Hotel, The Trafalgar Hotel, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Vine & Spice, The Wolseley, Trump International Scotland, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Turnberry Hotel, UCB - College of Food, Riverside Restaurant, University of York, Vacherin, West Bromwich Albion FC, Wright Brothers Oyster House, Wyck House Hotel & Spa, Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, York College…

Our Winners…Current YNCOTY title holder, Danny Young commenting on his achievement, “I am so proud and grateful to have achieved this award for not only myself but for Northcote as well. As many will know, I started my career at Northcote as an apprentice and I want to ensure that this award encourages the current and next generation of apprentices to see that hard work, determination and passion go a long way in achieving your own personal goals within the industry.

The award has already brought a buzz and excitement to my personal career with the opportunities, contacts and experience that I have gained from it.”

Ruth Hansom, Commis Chef, The Ritz London and Winner of the 2017 title said: “I can’t put into words how amazing it feels, I’m so happy to have won. I’ve come second in the past and knew that I really wanted to win this year.”

Danny Hoang, currently Line Cook at Momofuku Ko, New York and who took the title of YNCOTY in October 2015 agreed and added “Being seeded into the live final of the Young National Chef of the Year competition was an honour in itself but to

go on to win it was more than I could ever have hoped. I loved every part of this competition and have had some incredible opportunities since winning but there’s still plenty more to come.

If you are looking to get your name seen and heard, this is definitely a competition to be part of.”

Luke Selby, winner of Young National Chef of the Year 2014 says, “Taking part in the competition was both challenging and rewarding and winning Young National Chef of the Year was the icing on the cake. I’ve learnt a lot and it certainly helped me grow in confidence as a chef. I’d definitely encourage my peers to take part.”

Ben Champkin, from The Elephant in Torquay was awarded Young National Chef of the Year 2013, on claiming the title he says, “Winning the Young National Chef of the Year was a career highlight, the experience of taking part is something that I’ll never forget and I’d recommend it to any chef serious about competitive cooking. It’s both a stepping stone to senior competitions and a great confidence boost.”

Charles Smith, was awarded Young National Chef of the Year 2012 and is currently Head Chef at Lords of the Manor.

What our Sponsors say“Bunzl Lockhart Catering Equipment has witnessed The National & Young National Chef of the Year competitions go from strength to strength with each successive year and we are very proud to continue to sponsor such a progressive competition. The Craft Guild of Chefs have shown an unrivalled commitment to emerging industry talent and we are always happy to support them with prize packages and equipment. Being able to provide this equipment to help some of the UK’s top chefs create their dishes is always an honour, but it’s the passion of the competitors, judges, organisers and sponsors that really shines through. It’s also great to see the way the competition raises the profile of our industry.”

Simon Armer, Marketing Director, Bunzl Lockhart Catering Equipment

“Churchill is once again incredibly proud to support both the NCOTY & YNCOTY competitions. It really is the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition and we are delighted to support the work that goes into making it so great. We have always enjoyed and benefited from the innovative approach to sponsors by the organisers, to ‘get involved’ as much as possible with the different elements of the competition. This approach has led us to be much more creative in our outlook, looking to engage a wider audience externally, whilst increasing the number of touch-points with finalists 4-fold and building relationships not only with the competitors but organisers, supporters and a fabulous set of co-sponsors.”

Sharon Heap, Marketing Director, Churchill

“We have been delighted to be involved in The National Chef of the Year as a sponsor. The running and organising of the event are fantastic and the opportunity to support and meet the talented chefs who enter the competition has been invaluable to our business. We can’t wait to do it all again next time.”

Alex Shannon, Managing Director, Sous Vide Tools

At Continental Chef Supplies, we understand the importance and are genuinely thrilled to support the future of our industry through the industry leading NCOTY & YNCOTY competitions. It’s encouraging to share the passion, dedication and enthusiasm amongst the next generation of chefs and judges, it’s a humbling privilege to be able to give something back and see them wear the CCS badge on their chef whites with pride’.

Paul Brown, Managing Director, Continental Chef Supplies

Ambassadors“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.”

Clare Smyth MBE, 2015 & 2016 Chairman of Judges & former Chef Patron at three Michelin-starred Restaurant, Gordon Ramsay

“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.”

Philip Howard, 2013 & 2014 Chairman of Judges & former proprietor of the two Michelin-starred The Square Restaurant and now the owner of Elystan Street, Chelsea

“The Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition has yielded winners which include some of the UK’s leading chefs over its 40 year history. As a sponsor you are demonstrating your commitment to the sustainable future of the most prestigious and sought after competition title in the UK today.”

David Mulcahy, Competition Director & Vice President, Craft Guild of Chefs

“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.”

Gary Jones, Executive Head Chef, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons & 2017 Chairman of Judges

“It’s always an absolute pleasure to be involved with YNCOTY and to witness the competition go from strength to strength. Each year the standards get higher and I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent this year’s competition brings.”

Mark Sargeant, Young National Chef of the Year Ambassador, Chef Patron of Rocksalt & the Smokehouse in Folkestone

Contact the team…For further information, please contact 01293 610 329 clair.bowman@wrbm.com

Follow us at Craft_Guild, #NCOTY, #YNCOTY www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk

Judges

A judging panel of over 40 respected chefs within the industry are selected for all elements of the competition from paper judging to semi finals and the final.

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, Sat Bains, Daniel Clifford, John Campbell, Monica Galetti, Vivek Singh, Bruce Poole, Simon Hulstone, Paul Ainsworth, Gary Jones, Graham Hornigold, Dan Doherty, Andrew Fairlie, Daniel Galmiche, Andrew Pern, Stephen Terry, Lee Westcott, Jonny Lake, Graham Hornigold, Benoit Blin, Paul Gayler, Gary Hunter, Henry Harris, Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton, Marcus Wareing, Julie Walsh, Hideko Kawa, Brett Graham, Bruce Poole, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Mark Flannagan, Ben Tish, Claude Bosi, Ollie Dabbous, Andre Garrett, Daniel Galmiche, James ‘Jocky’ Petrie, Alyn Willaims, Sophie Michell amongst others.

Organised by: