Meet the National Chef of the Year 2019 finalists: George Blogg

National Chef of the Year 2019 finalist, George Blogg is head chef at the Michelin-starred Gravetye Manor in Sussex.

• Read more about National Chef of the Year here
• 1 Michelin Star Chefs: George Blogg, Head Chef, Gravetye Manor
• Who are the other National Chef of the Year 2019 finalists?
• What does it take to win National Chef of the Year?

George started working in the kitchen as a KP aged 15, working part time to support his college and university studies. After completing a BSc and an MSc in Geology, he decided that he wanted to pursue a career as a chef instead. 

He has since worked with Philip Howard at The Square in Mayfair and with David Everitt-Matthias at Le Champignon Sauvage, as well as completing stages around Europe at Noma and In De Wulf, to name a few. George received an Acorn Award in 2011 and was named the Good Food Guide's 'Chef To Watch' in 2014. He is currently head chef at Gravetye Manor, whose restaurant was first awarded a Michelin star in 2008.

Why did you enter National Chef of the Year?

I view cooking competitions as an excellent way to improve and push chefs to better themselves. My main objective is to be able to help encourage and guide younger chefs into competitions in the best way that I can. What better way to improve my understanding and prepare myself for this than entering one myself?

How did it feel to get through to the final?

It was a bit of a shock at first, as I was announced as the heat winner. It is a fantastic achievement and allows me to qualify and experience the last part of the competition. I hope that all the finalists cook to the best of their ability and feel proud of what they have accomplished.

Knorr and Unilever Food Solutions are proud to be longstanding sponsors of the National Chef of the Year competition. The foodservice industry is a significant and important part of Knorr’s business and we’re proud to have been by the side of culinary professionals since 1838.

Remember your first day? Watch our campaign film at www.ufs.com/knorr1838