The Craft Guild of chefs has revealed the National Chef of the Year 2017 (NCOTY) semi-finalists.

They can also reveal that this year saw the highest recorded level of interest in the competition ever, with 159 entries on the new National Chef of the Year website and over 400 chefs registered to view the brief.

David Mulcahy, Vice-President of the Craft Guild of Chefs and organiser of the National Chef of the Year competition, commented on the competition so far: “As the leading culinary challenge in the UK today and recognised across the industry, the National Chef of the Year is as strong today as it was in 1972 when it was first introduced. Following the paper entry stage all judges agreed that the standard this year has improved on recent years, and I have no doubt that we are in for a tough competition.

"The focus on a very clear set of skills at the semi-final stage will determine who deserves to go through to the final stages where they will be able to show their own personal innovation and skills with what will be the best mystery basket yet. The National Chef of the Year continues to grow and develop and to reflect today’s fast paced and exciting industry.”

The 40 semi-finalist chefs who made the grade come from around the UK, from a variety of establishments and backgrounds. These include contract caterers, pubs and even food suppliers and colleges, as well as some of the country’s best hotels and restaurants:

Chairman of Judges, Clare Smyth MBE, said: “What’s fantastic about this competition is not only does the number of entrants grow each year but the quality of the entries continues to rise. Having discussed the entries and menus at length with my fellow judges I know it is going to be a very tough, close and exciting semi-final. On a personal note, I’m delighted to see five female chefs make the top 40 which is the highest we’ve ever had and is something as a committee we’ve really encouraged for the last few years. I hope the chefs will grab this opportunity with both hands and ensure they are ready for it!"

Following the semi-finals, the ten highest scoring chefs will then face the ultimate challenge in the NCOTY final on the October 4 at the Restaurant Show.

>>> Read the latest blog from last year's National Chef of the Year winner, Larry Jayasekara