The Staff Canteen to launch educational chef tours in 2026

The Staff Canteen is set to launch the European Chefs Tour, an all-new educational and cultural experience designed to connect UK chefs with Europe’s most influential food destinations.

The inaugural tour will take place in March 2026 in San Sebastián, Spain - the heart of Basque gastronomy and one of the world’s most respected culinary cities.

Over three days, a select group of UK chefs will explore the region’s approach to produce, fire cookery, and hospitality through a series of immersive dining experiences and guided visits.

While the exact venues remain under wraps, the itinerary promises a balance of grassroots authenticity and fine-dining excellence - from traditional grill houses to contemporary kitchens redefining the Basque food identity.

Who will be on the trip?

The tour will be led by Ashley Palmer-Watts, Amanda Afiya, and Mark Morris, bringing together decades of experience from across the UK hospitality landscape.

• Ashley Palmer-Watts needs little introduction, having spent 20 years with The Fat Duck Group (August 1999 – January 2019) and now co-owner of The Devonshire, Soho.
• Amanda Afiya, a respected journalist and industry voice, was part of the early conversations that helped shape how UK chefs discovered new culinary cultures abroad.

“To have Amanda involved is both exciting and an honour,” said Mark Morris, founder of The Staff Canteen.

“This project builds on that legacy - reinvented for a new generation and a more connected, digital era.”

The San Sebastián tour will bring together eight UK chefs, blending senior talent with the next generation of chef leaders. Each will gain first-hand insight into Basque sourcing, service rhythm, and the cultural mindset behind one of Europe’s most respected dining scenes.

Sponsor partners

Supporting the inaugural European Chefs Tour are four leading industry partners whose expertise spans production, equipment, design, and sustainability.

• Mitch Mitchell, founder and managing director of TRUEfoods, the Yorkshire-based producer renowned for its premium stocks and sauces crafted for the world’s top kitchens.
• Michael Eyre, culinary director at Jestic Foodservice Solutions, a company that represents some of the most respected international foodservice equipment brands and champions innovation in professional kitchens.
• Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK, specialists in commercial warewashing systems and long-time supporters of chef education and hospitality excellence.
• Gareth Sefton, managing director of SHW Design Ltd, an award-winning consultancy known for creating exceptional restaurant interiors and experiential hospitality spaces across the UK and Europe.

Following this pilot edition, a second European Chefs Tour is planned for autumn 2026, with Paris and Copenhagen already under consideration as future destinations.

Stay tuned to see the chef line-up for the trip to San Sebastián and the full grassroots to Michelin tour itinerary.