Mark Birchall and Tom Shepherd lead National Chef of the Year

The Craft Guild of Chefs has unveiled Mark Birchall and Tom Shepherd as the new chairs of judges for National Chef of the Year and Young National Chef of the Year, marking a significant moment for two of the UK’s most highly regarded chefs.

The announcement, revealed live on the Guild’s Instagram channel, confirmed that Mark, chef patron of Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, will lead National Chef of the Year, while Tom, owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Staffordshire, will chair Young National Chef of the Year.

As part of the refreshed judging structure for 2026, Cherish Finden has also been appointed to oversee dessert judging across both competitions, bringing specialist pastry leadership into the process for the first time.

A new chapter for two cornerstone competitions

The Craft Guild of Chefs traditionally refreshes its judging leadership every two years, a move designed to introduce new perspectives while maintaining the integrity and heritage of competitions that have helped shape professional careers for more than five decades.

Mark and Tom will work closely with David Mulcahy, competition director and vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, to develop the 2026 briefs and judging frameworks.

David said the appointments reflected both chefs’ standing in the industry and their shared commitment to nurturing talent.

He said: “I’ve been asked countless times who the new chairs would be, so it’s exciting to finally reveal these outstanding names. We are already working hard to create an enticing brief that will allow competitors to show us their own style and skill whilst bringing in elements Mark and Tom are truly passionate about.”

He also paid tribute to outgoing chairs Matt Abé and Russell Bateman, thanking them for their contribution over the past two years.

Mark Birchall on inspiring ambition through competition

For Mark, who leads one of the UK’s most celebrated kitchens at Moor Hall, the role represents an opportunity to encourage both new and returning competitors to test themselves at the highest level.

He said: “To be the next chair of judges for National Chef of the Year is really humbling. I’m passionate about inspiring first-time entrants and encouraging previous competitors to return.

“Competitions like this are so important for progression, increasing confidence and helping chefs to grow within their team, so I’d recommend it to any ambitious chef looking for a challenge in 2026.”

Tom Shepherd on championing the next generation

Tom’s appointment to Young National Chef of the Year reflects his long-standing commitment to mentoring young chefs and supporting development beyond his own kitchen.

He said: “Chairing Young National Chef of the Year is a true honour. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work with some of the UK’s most respected chefs and these experiences shaped my approach to cookery.

“That’s why I recognise the importance of nurturing and celebrating young talent. Giving back to the industry through such a prestigious competition is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Pastry given a dedicated voice

New for 2026, Cherish Finden will lead dessert judging across both competitions, reinforcing the importance of pastry skill alongside savoury excellence.

She said: “Having a head judge solely focused on desserts celebrates the importance of pastry skills in this competition. We’ll be looking for dishes that combine technical precision with creativity and exceptional flavour.”

Competition format and entry details

Two live semi-final cook-offs will take place in London and Sheffield during the summer, marking the return of this stage as a live competition for the first time since before the pandemic.

Entries for National Chef of the Year open on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with an eight-week window for chefs to submit menus. Young National Chef of the Year will continue via invitation at the semi-final stage.

Full details and registration information are available via the National Chef of the Year website.