BCF Young Chef of the Year 2025 finalists announced
The British Culinary Foundation has announced this year's finalists for Young Chef of the Year.
The competition is open to all young chefs who are 25 years of age and under on the date of the competition.
Jake Goddard of Coworth Park was crowned the BCF Young Chef of the Year in 2024.
the finalists
Maxwell Parker, Restaurant Story, London
Yuting Zhang, Adam’s Restaurant, Birmingham
Alahgi Jadama, Le Neuvième Art, Lyon, France
Rohan Bragg, Cheal’s of Knowle
Jennifer Whitty, University College Birmingham
Jordan Holland, The Boat, Lichfield
Dean Burnham, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
Charlie Cable, Coworth Park, Ascot
Harry Edwards, Grace and Savour, Hampton Manor
Alexander Williams, Mallory Court Country House Hotel, Leamington Spa
Josh Zitha, City of Oxford College
Dylan Fleming-Jones, Chez Bruce, London
Liam Hornby, The Bower House, Shipston on Stour
Matthew Cregan, The Ritz Hotel, London
The final takes place at University College Birmingham on November 10 followed by dinner and awards.
Sponsored and supported by Bord Bia, Major International, Steelite
Utopia, Wrapmaster, Lakeland Dairies.
Judges include Jon Howe, Glynn Purnell, Luke Tipping, Adam Thomason, Paul Foster and Stuart McLeod.
All finalists will receive a personalised chefs jacket, certificate and a commemorative plate sponsored by STEELITE UTOPIA and two tickets to the awards dinner at University College Birmingham.
Chef of the year
This event follows the June competition for BCF Chef of the Year which saw Aaron Blais of The Ritz claim the top prize of £2,000 in cash, a commemorative plate, a framed certificate, and an exclusive chef’s trip to Ireland, sponsored by Aubrey Allen and Bord Bia.
Read more: Meet Aaron Blais: Award-winning chef making his mark at The Ritz
The ceremony on June 23 honoured outstanding chefs who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, skill, and leadership in UK kitchens over the past year.
Following a multi-course dinner prepared by some of the industry’s finest, the coveted 2025 BCF Chef of the Year title was awarded in front of peers, mentors, and media.
written by abi kinsella
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