This year’s line-up is made up of senior chefs from restaurants including Frog by Adam Handling, The Black Swan at Oldstead, and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and is split 50/50 between former and first-time finalists.
“I’m excited to see who takes that top spot,” says Matt Abé, who became chair of judges for the competition last year.
“I’m proud that during my time as chair of judges, we’ve attracted talent from across the industry, from retail and the armed forces to independent restaurants, contract catering, and hospitality groups.
“This competition is truly open to all, judged solely on the quality of the menus and dishes submitted.”
The semi-final stage of this year’s competition saw 40 chefs battle it out, each one challenged with making a hot or cold pre-dessert that focused on either a seasonal fruit or vegetable.
The dish could have been either sweet or savoury with each chef told to take inspiration from their own culinary journey.
Led by Abé, the judging panel was supported by chefs such as Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Cherish Finden, Hrishikesh Desai, James Sommerin, James Petrie, Peter Joyner, Gary Hunter, and April Lily Partridge.
“While we have ten outstanding finalists, I want to acknowledge the 30 incredibly talented chefs who didn’t make it through, many of whom missed out by just a few marks,” Abé adds.
“You should all be immensely proud of what you’ve achieved.”
The 10 remaining chefs will go head-to-head at the grand final at the University of West London on 7 October before the winner is revealed at an awards evening at The Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square.
The winning chef will receive a whole host of rewards including unique culinary experiences and development opportunities.
NCOTY is organised by the Craft Guild of Chefs
Last year, the competition was won by Orry Shand, executive chef at Entier Ltd, Scotland’s largest independent catering company.
Past NCOTY winners also include David Everitt-Matthias, Simon Hulstone, Luke Selby, and Gordon Ramsay.
This year’s finalists are:
- Callum Leslie, The Black Swan at Oldstead
- Carl Cleghorn, Tyme by Carl Cleghorn
- Cleverson Cordeiro, Frog by Adam Handling
- Craig Edgell, Buoy and Oyster
- Danny Young, The Torridon
- Jaden Dunn, Northwick Estate - Upton Wold
- Jethro Lawrence, Apetito
- Katie Morgan, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
- Ruth Hansom-Rigby, Hansom Restaurant
- Shaurya Kapur, Rosewood
- Sam Rust, Parc Le Breos (Reserve)
- George Boarer, Etch by Steven Edwards (Reserve)