National Chef of the Year 2019 Opens for Entries—Can You Master the Perfect Egg Dish?

The Craft Guild of Chefs has launched this year’s National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) competition. Open to professional chefs aged 24 and above, the contest invites entries from across the UK and overseas. Organisers have set a deadline of Friday, 22nd March for submissions. Competitors will need to design a summer lunch menu for two people. The three-course meal must feature a 'Perfect Egg Dish' starter, a beef main course, and a chocolate tart dessert paired with seasonal fruits. The beef dish requires two cuts and two cooking techniques, with all meat sourced from the UK—including details of breed, farm origin, and maturation time.

The competition is backed by KNORR and Lockhart Catering Equipment, along with other sponsors. Gary Jones, executive head chef at Belmond Le Manoir, has written the brief and will lead the judging panel for the third consecutive year. Semi-finals are scheduled for June, with the final taking place on Tuesday, 1st October 2019 at The Restaurant Show. Kuba Winkowski, last year’s winner, secured the title on his second attempt.

The National Chef of the Year remains one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Successful candidates will progress through semi-finals before competing in the October final. Winners gain recognition among peers and industry leaders.