Who is chef Josh Hughes on Great British Menu 2026?
As we come towards the end of the regional heats of Great British Menu 2026, we find out more about chef Josh Hughes, who is representing London and the South East.
Last year, Jean Delport cooked for the region and took two dishes through to the banquet, setting a high bar for this year’s chefs.
Josh Hughes is head chef at Hide and Fox in Saltwood, Kent, the modern British restaurant that was awarded two Michelin stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide.
Originally from Kent, Josh has built his career through a series of highly regarded kitchens in the region and is now leading one of the South East’s most acclaimed dining rooms.
Early career and cooking background
Josh began his culinary career in local kitchens before gaining experience in respected restaurants including the Fordwich Arms. He later became head chef at the Bridge Arms in Canterbury, where the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, an important step in establishing his own fine-dining credentials.
That route through some of Kent’s best-known kitchens helped shape a style rooted in modern British cooking, classical technique and a strong understanding of seasonal produce.
Working in restaurants with high standards and a clear sense of identity gave Josh the grounding that would later prepare him for one of the most demanding roles in the South East.
Cooking at Hide and Fox
Josh joined Hide and Fox in 2023 under chef patron Allister Barsby, quickly becoming a key part of the kitchen team. The restaurant is known for refined modern British tasting menus, with a style built around precision, restraint and the best local ingredients.
That philosophy aligns closely with Josh’s own cooking. His menus focus on seasonality and locally sourced produce, combining classical foundations with contemporary presentation. At Hide and Fox, that approach has helped reinforce the restaurant’s position as one of the leading fine-dining destinations in the South East.
Recognition and reputation
In 2025, Josh was named a semi-finalist in the National Chef of the Year competition.
That recognition added to a year of momentum for both Josh and Hide and Fox, as the restaurant continued to build on the impact of its second Michelin star.
As head chef of a two-starred restaurant, Josh now enters Great British Menu with strong regional credentials and experience at the highest level. His food reflects the strengths of modern British fine dining in the South East, with a clear emphasis on quality produce, technical discipline and polished presentation.
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Josh Hughes on Great British Menu 2026
In Great British Menu 2026, Josh represents London and the South East, competing against Dana Choi, Abbie Hendren and Vince Smith for a place in finals week.
Aktar Islam, of Birmingham’s two-Michelin-starred Opheem, is the veteran judge for the London and South East region.
Josh’s menu for the competition celebrates some of the great British films set in London and the South East, with dishes shaped by inventive storytelling.
With experience across Michelin-recognised kitchens and the pressure of leading a two-star restaurant, he will be aiming to make a strong impression in the closing stages of the competition.
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