Young National Chef of the Year 2016 competition launched

The Staff Canteen

The search for the UK’s best young chef is on as the Young National Chef of the Year 2016 is launched by The Craft Guild of Chefs.

The semi-finals will be held at Sheffield College on Thursday, June 11 and at Le Cordon Bleu in London on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.

The winners of young chef competitions across the nation, from the British Culinary Federation, the Academy of Culinary Arts Awards of Excellence, World Skills UK and Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards, will be automatically seeded into the semi-finals.

The 20 young chefs competing in the semi-finals will then be whittled down to four finalists in a bid to find the best young chef. David Mulcahy, the competition organiser and vice president or the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “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.”

Current National Young Chef of the Year, Luke Selby, from Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons was mentored by executive chef of at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Gary Jones.

Luke said: 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 learnt a lot and it certainly helped me grow in confidence as a chef. I’d definitely encourage my peers to take part.”

His prizes included the winner’s plate, £250 of branded Churchill products and a study trip to Lyon. The trip included dinner at the three Michelin starred restaurant, Régis at Jacques Marcon.

Stefan Horsnell, category marketing director of Unilever Food Solutions, said: “We need young chefs coming up through the ranks to bring with them new techniques, flavours and experiences. Competitions like this attract the best out there, helping them connect with colleagues and develop their careers, so wherever they work they can fulfil their potential and be the best they can.”

For more information about the competition, visit www.craftguildofchefs.org, or follow @TNCOTY #YNCOTY on Twitter.

By Ashley Chalmers

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall and restrict access – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 12 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 500,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 10th March 2015

Young National Chef of the Year 2016 competition launched