Flash-grilled: Mike Shaw
The chef-patron at the Freemasons at Wiswell on hating waste and tardiness and a love of Maltesers.
Chef
The man who changed how chefs chop
For three decades, Jay Patel has been at the sharp end of the UK’s knife scene, championing Japanese-made blades as the tool of choice for ambitious chefs.
Flash-grilled: Gerald van der Walt
The South African-born head chef at Lake District Hotel Linthwaite House on Peter Tempelhoff, Kirkby Lonsdale’s The Milking Parlour and barbequed crocodile tail.
Flash-grilled: Mark Tuttiett
Rafael Cagali’s right-hand man at Da Terra on Barry’s Bootcamp, Santa Maria Pizzeria and his “lovely eyes”.
It takes two: former Sorrel husband-and-wife duo on launching The Townhouse as a two-person operation
Former Sorrel head chef Matthew Price and front-of-house manager Jenny Price have chosen the West Sussex town of Arundel to open their first venture.
Spencer Metzger: “It annoyed me that another chef would go in and turn it into a success”
The Row on 5 executive chef on how he’s seizing the opportunity to open his deeply personal French restaurant, Chez Rose.
The National Restaurant Awards 2026 Chef of the Year shortlist
The shortlist of contenders for this year’s coveted Chef of the Year award, sponsored by HG Walter, is revealed.
Crossing cultures: Jang’s head chef on showcasing Korean cuisine on Great British Menu
Dana Choi, head chef at Jang, reflects on bringing Korean cuisine to a wider audience through Great British Menu and her approach to modern Korean cooking rooted in tradition and British produce.
How I got here: Rich Cullen
The co-founder of Kiln in Newcastle on shared experiences, staying focused and following his gut.
The National Restaurant Awards 2026 Chef to Watch shortlist
This year’s shortlist, sponsored by San Pellegrino, is bursting with cheffing talent.
Chef Matt Sampson to take on former Chapters site in Hay-on-Wye
Ynyshir, Casamia and L’Enclume alumnus Matt Sampson has been revealed as the chef that is taking over soon to close Hay-on-Wye restaurant Chapters.
East London’s Lardo to ‘evolve in a bold new direction’ as Marta Sandini takes the reins
Hackney stalwart Lardo will be reimagined early next month as Italian-born chef Marta Sandini takes over as head chef.
Simon Ulph to lead Rothay Manor’s Rowan restaurant as head chef
Lake District boutique hotel Rothay Manor has appointed Simon Ulph to lead its Rowan restaurant as head chef.
Flash-grilled: Ben Wilkinson
The head chef at the Michelin-starred The Pass on proper fish and chip shops, clingfilm and breaking Daniel Clifford’s Pacojet.
Nikita Pathakji to launch Clapham restaurant
Nikita Pathakji will make her permanent restaurant debut next month, having acquired the former Brook site on Clapham’s Abbeville Road.
Matt Abé: “Once I set my mind to something I will see it through”
His debut solo restaurant may have won two Michelin stars in a matter of months, but Bonheur’s chef-patron is not stopping there.
Flash-grilled: Filippo Alessandri
The recently appointed executive chef at The Ninth in Fitzrovia on Massimo Bottura’s famous lepre nel bosco and pairing red wine with sour Haribo.
Decimo to ‘enter a new era’ as Mexican chef Paola Arenas takes the reins
Mexico City-born chef Paola Arenas has been appointed to lead the kitchen at The Standard, London’s Decimo restaurant, following the recent departure of Peter Sanchez-Iglesias.
Senegalese restaurant offers free six-week chef training course to tackle youth unemployment
A Senegalese restaurant is tackling the issue of rising youth unemployment by offering a free training programme for 18-30 year olds.
Moor Hall announces two senior chef appointments
Three Michelin-starred Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms has announced two key promotions within its kitchen team.
“I feel like I’ve signed Cristiano Ronaldo”: Peter Sanchez-Iglesias to lead Gareth Ward’s Gwen restaurant
Gareth Ward has named former Casamia chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias as the new chef at his Gwen restaurant in Machynlleth.
Etch chef Steven Edwards to oversee Nyetimber Estate
Steven Edwards has been appointed executive chef at West Sussex vineyard Nyetimber Estate.
Flash-grilled: Mike Reid
The culinary consultant at The Evolv Collection’s Chop House & Tavern brand on laziness, gold leaf and playing the sax.
Harriet Mansell to run summer restaurant in the Dordogne
Former Lilac and Robin Wylde chef Harriet Mansell will make her international debut next month with a summer restaurant in southwestern France.
AO by Daniel Rogan becomes part of Umbel restaurant group
Southampton restaurant AO by Daniel Rogan has become part of his father Simon Rogan’s Umbel restaurant group.
Lewis Welburn returns to two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir as head chef
Two-Michelin-star restaurant with rooms Ynyshir has appointed Lewis Welburn as head chef, marking his return to the Welsh venue.
Aktar Islam: “I want to show my breadth as a chef by doing something more classic”
As the chef behind Birmingham two-star Opheem prepares to make his London debut, he discusses shifting from progressive Indian cooking to classical Awadhi cuisine, and the challenges facing the UK hospitality sector.
Former Cycene chef Theo Clench to reignite Mayfair’s Humo
Former Cycene chef Theo Clench is working with Creative Restaurant Group to relaunch Mayfair restaurant Humo as IGNI.
Flash-grilled: Rani Raimondi
The Naples-born head chef at Peckham’s Levan on Jeremy Chan, Planque and his mother’s pasta e ceci.
Sally Abé: “I’m probably the only chef in the UK who doesn’t want to cook over an open fire”
The former The Pem and The Bull Charlbury chef is putting everything on the line for her debut solo project.
Flash grilled: Sam Lawrence
The head chef at Herne Hill wine bar Lulu’s on fish and chips, The Ledbury and his nan’s fruitcake.
Aktar Islam seeks key team members for long-mooted Bristol restaurant project
Chef Aktar Islam has confirmed that he still plans to open his delayed Bristol restaurant, Kush.
Cairo practitioner: the chef introducing the flavours of North Africa to Soho
With his new restaurant Impala, Meedu Saad wants to bring some of the chaos of the Egyptian capital to London’s dining scene.
Conor Gadd: “I realised I couldn’t do another Trullo”
The chef co-owner of Italian restaurant Trullo has just opened his new restaurant, Burro, in Covent Garden.
Flash-grilled: Matt Gillan
The head chef at The Woodcote in West Sussex on his mum’s chicken curry, getting propositioned by diners and the labour intensive yet excellent goat dish he created for Great British Menu.
Denmark wins the Bocuse d’Or Europe 2026
Denmark has won the Bocuse d’Or Europe 2026 following a two-day cook-off in Marseille.
Sodexo announces culinary partnership with Anna Haugh
Chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh has entered into a partnership with Sodexo UK & Ireland.
Jamie Keeble: 2026’s chef Rising Star
The head chef of Mýse on thriving in a small team, valuing experience over pay, and almost moving to Hong Kong.
René Redzepi steps away from Noma amid allegations of abuse
René Redzepi has stepped away from Noma following allegations of serious abuse from former staff at the world-famous Copenhagen-based restaurant.
Flash-grilled: Alex Dome
The head chef at Knepp Wilding Kitchen on his love of bread and butter, Eminem, and the cathartic process of making pasta.
Top Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal swaps UK for Dubai
High-profile Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal is leaving the UK to help create a string of new restaurant brands in Dubai as part of his work with strategic advisory firm Clé & Partners.
Gymkhana chef director Sid Ahuja to depart after nearly a decade
Gymkhana chef director Sid Ahuja has left the two-Michelin-starred London Indian restaurant after nearly a decade behind the stove.
Roux Scholarship reveals its six national finalists
High-profile cooking competition the Roux Scholarship has revealed the six young chefs who will go through to its national final.
Gordon Ramsay to open first UK fine-dining restaurant outside London in over 20 years
Gordon Ramsay is set to open his first fine dining restaurant in the UK outside of London in more than two decades, with a new venture planned at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, this summer.
Alex Claridge: “I contemplated closing The Wilderness and opening a French bistro”
After 10 years, Alex Claridge has finally realised his ambition of winning a Michelin star for his Birmingham restaurant. It turns out he just needed to stop trying.
Flash-grilled: Remi Williams
The chef-owner of Tooting restaurant Smoke & Salt on working in the US, Joké Bakare and spicy lobster pizza.
Prept’s Food Fight is a knockout, raising over £150,000
Some of the UK’s best-known chefs stepped into the boxing ring last night (2 March) and raised over £150,000 for food education charity Prept.
A show of Forza: Bash Redford and Michael Lavery on their new Soho venture
With their new central London project, their largest to date, the Forza Wine duo are upping the ante.
Orry Shand to make double debut with restaurant launch and TV appearance
Orry Shand, Scotland’s former National Chef of the Year, has announced plans to open his first independent restaurant and make his TV debut on the new series of the BBC’s Great British Menu.
How I got here: Ben Chamberlain
The head chef at open-fire restaurant Wild in Burford says it’s important to enjoy the process, not just the result.