As the UK’s most prestigious and respected culinary contest The National Chef of the Year shines a spotlight on the fresh talent coming out of the kitchen in 2017. Since it launched in 1972, previous winners like Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams, David Everitt-Matthias and Mark Sargeant have seen how it helps fast-track careers to put winners firmly on the map, and on the path to Michelin stars.

But this isn’t about style over substance: only the best, most innovative and creative chefs get a shot at the title – and an award that opens doors to future success.

Winning this competition is all about the chefs’ individual performances on the day in front of a panel of respected judges. It is not based on their personality or past triumphs, but on culinary skills and interpretation of the ingredients they demonstrate when the heat is on!

the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition

also including

Partner with us

Association of your brand with these prestigious awards will mean that your business and products are showcased to the elite of the UK chef sector. Activation of brand presence throughout the event – from entry drive to semi finals, the mentor day, the final to the Awards Celebration as well as additional communication throughout the wider promotion within the NCOTY promotional campaign – will ensure guaranteed placement of product in the hands of decision makers in the Hospitality sector, as well as direct networking with potential clients.

Benefits• To be aligned and associated with the UK’s most prestigious

culinary competitions

• Brand exclusivity - to be an exclusive sponsor brand aligned with NCOTY & YNCOTY

• The opportunity to establish and develop long term relationships between the chef community and like-minded industry suppliers

• Through the competitions structure, it supports and drives personal development, engages competitors in a network which has proved invaluable. As a sponsor you form part of this process

• Opportunity to develop bespoke video content and website content

• A number of opportunities to engage with and develop relationships with competitors, fellow sponsors, judges and other stakeholders

• Opportunities to attend the official NCOTY & YNCOTY events including sponsors network lunch, mentor days, semi finalevents, the final and announcement of winners as well as the awards party event

• The National & Young National Chef of the Year competitions are unique in that they offer sponsors ‘tailored packages’and opportunities where they can engage throughout theentire campaign

Developments in 2016…• A content-led marketing campaign

• Dedicated new websites at www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk and www.youngnationalchefoftheyear.co.uk

• The launch of a Craft Guild of Chefs’ YouTube channel

• Bespoke videos with sponsors used - as Facebook videos, tweets and on YouTube

• Blogs from competitors, judges, sponsors, organisers and recognised chefs

• A variety of other social media content supplied by sponsors and shared with Craft Guild of Chefs followers

NCOTY & YNCOTY in Numbers• The Craft Guild of Chefs Twitter account now

has a following of over 14,500 - creating more awareness than ever

• 2016 had a PR and digital reach of over 12 million

• 6,621 tweets with the hashtag #NCOTY

• 4,000 tweets with the hashtag #YNCOTY

• The #NCOTY and #YNCOTY hashtags had a reach of 1.3 million for the final

• NCOTY Facebook posts reached a total of 220,000

• The new dedicated Craft Guild of Chefs YouTube channel has 34 videos with a viewing of over 2,500

“The competition programme allows more access to participants and between sponsoring partners than any other in the UK.” David Mulcahy, Competition Director & Vice President, Craft Guild of Chefs

Engage

Promoting your partnershipYour close association with the NCOTY & YNCOTY brand will be promoted in an assertive and all-encompassing PR and marketing campaign to the extensive readerships of our industry titles. Everywhere the NCOTY & YNCOTY logo goes your logo and brand association will go too, and we’ll provide you with our logo for your print and digital assets.

We will also promote your involvement through social media, inviting you to engage with us and our audience through Twitter. Your profile will reach our entire industry and be seen as a sponsor for the UK’s most respected and leading culinary competition.

Our Winners Delighted with his 2017 win, James Devine, Sous Chef, EIPIC, Belfast commented:

“I’m honoured, I never expected to win or to come this far. Today went well for me, I kept calm and was pleased with the way all my dishes came out. Each dish was something I’d happily eat or serve up. Right now, I feel humbled and very excited at the same time.”

“I never thought I was good enough, the standard (of the competition) is so high. The first year I reached the final, I thought, OK, the second year, I thought, OK, but the third year I really had to push the boundaries. It’s not just about winning, it’s about your career and what the title can do for it.”

Larry Jayasekara, 2016 winner, Head Chef at Petrus, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

“I would never have envisaged before becoming The National Chef of the Year – it’s amazing what doors are suddenly opened for you once your profile is raised.”

Simon Hulstone, 2008 winner, Michelin Star Chef & Chef Patron, The Elephant Restaurant

“I am very humbled but also extremely proud to now be amongst so many great names in the industry that have won the title over the years.”

Alyn Williams, 2012 winner, Michelin Star Chef & Head Chef, Alyn Williams at The Westbury

“It is a huge honour to win NCOTY and amazing to think my name is now added to that list of wonderful past winners. To be recognised by the fantastic line up of judges was also a massive boost for me personally. I’m incredibly proud to have been recognised by such an esteemed judging panel. I gained more from the NCOTY than I could have believed possible at the beginning of my journey. I will take my experience back to the kitchen at Colette’s and use it to continue to grow as a Chef. I look forward to seeing the competition go from strength to strength.”

Russell Bateman, 2014 winner, Head Chef at Colette’s Restaurant, The Grove Hotel

NCOTY Title Holders

The Programme An all-encompassing PR and marketing campaign, planned throughout the year with specific messages and objectives. Working with key industry titles at certain times as well as creating our own content with relevant and worthy news. As a sponsor you have opportunities at specific touch-points within the campaign to engage and support the competition – whether this be from raising branding visibility and / or developing relationships with the chef committee, judges, competitors and entire industry.

Entry GenerationFebruary to April

Open to all chefs over the age of 24 as of April 1st 2017, from across all sectors of the industry. Entrants are required to devise an innovative menu for four people.

Promoted through national and regional press, adverts in all trade related publications, social media, online banners, email blasts, a telemarketing campaign, promotional leaflets distributed through industry events and exhibitions as well as personalised invitations sent to over 500 of the UK’s leading restaurants.

Full industry reach - a content-led campaign with specific blogs appearing on the website as well supported extensively through industry titles such as Caterer, Restaurant Magazine, Staff Canteen, Big Hospitality, Chef and many more.

PR Reach - 2,647,321  Social Media - 1,063 tweets & 378 accounts tweeted using the hashtag #NCOTYJudging.

A judging panel of over 40 respected chefs within the industry are selected for all elements of the competition from paper judging to semi finals and the final.

Brand access/visibility and networking to all judges throughout the process.

2017 James Devine2016 Larry Jayasekara 2014 Russell Bateman2013 Hayden Groves2012 Alyn Williams2011 Frederick Forster2010 Hrishikesh Desai2008 Simon Hulstone2006 Eyck Zimmer2004 Steve Love 2002 Mark Sargeant 2000 Bruce Sangster 1998 Kevin Viner

1996 David Everitt-Matthias1994 Lou Jones1992 Gordon Ramsay 1990 Roger Narbett 1988 Mark Gregory1986 David Pitchford1984 Robert Maybe1982 William Stafford1980 Ken Whibly1978 Paul Brady1976 Eddie van Meille1974 Bryan Price1972 Pierre Jacquemin

Entrants from over 500 establishments have entered from the likes of... Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Amadeus, Angelus Restaurant, Aqua Shard, Artizian, Ashdown Park Hotel, Auberge du Lac, Automat, Elior, Balans Restaurant, Bateaux London, BaxtorStorey, Bedford Hotel, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Benares Restaurant and Bar, Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, Bill’s, Bone Daddies Ltd, Boulevard Events, Bovey Castle, Bowland Village Inns, Brasserie Blanc Ltd, Brend Hotels, Buddha Bar Knightsbridge, Butchershop Bar and Grill, Café Royal Hotel, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Cannizaro House, CH&co, Chewton Glen, Chez Amis, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise, Claytons Kitchen @ The Porter, Restaurant Associates, Colette’s Restaurant, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Copper Restaurant, Corinthia, Crewe Hall Hotels, Crown Moran Hotel, Cucina Restaurants, Culcreuch Castle Hotel, D&D Group/Plateau Restaurant, Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, De Vere Academy of Hospitality, Drakes Restaurant, Drapers Company, Drapers Hall, El Toro Grill, Elephant Restaurant, Elior UK, Ember Yard Tavern, Etrop Grange Hotel, Excel London, Levy, Restaurants UK, Fullers Smith and Turner PLC, Galvin at Windows, Galvin La Chapelle, Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Goodwood Hotel, Gordon Ramsay Holding, Grand Central Hotel Glasgow, Grassington House Hotel, Greene King, Guglee Restaurant, Gymkhana, Haileybury, Harbour & Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hell Bay Hotel, Heritage Portfolio, Hilton Hotels, Historic House Hotels, HM Forces (Army) Food Services Wing, Hotel de France, House of Commons, Hyatt Regency The Churchill Hotel, Intercontinental London Park Lane, J&G Global, Judges Country House Hotel, Karpo, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kitchen W8, La Trompette, Landmark Hotel London, Le Champignon Sauvage, Le Meridien Piccadilly, Lebowskis, Lexington Catering (Standard Bank), L’Horizon Beach & Hotel Spa, Lima, Little Italy, London House, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Lusso Ch&Co, M&B Innovation Centre, Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Mallory Court Hotel, Malone Lodge Hotel, Mango Lounge, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Marriott Hotel, Maxim’s Casino, Merrill Lynch, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, Mint Hotel Bristol, Mirabella Restaurant, Montagu Arms Hotel, National Dining Rooms and National café, NEC, Birmingham, no 9 Church Street, Stratford Upon Avon, Paesan, Pearl Restaurant & Bar, Peyton and Byrne, Piano Kensington, Piquet Restaurant, Plateau Restaurant, Provenance Inns, Provenance Inns, Punchbowl Inn, RAF, Read’s Restaurant with Rooms, Restaurant Associates, Restaurant 23, Restaurant Adam Handling, Restaurant Chez Amis, Restaurant Marcus, Retro Bistro, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Rhubarb, Ribble Valley Inns, Rocksalt Restaurant, Roehampton Club, Rose and Crown Trent, Runnymede on Thames, Saffron, Sandringham Yacht Club, Saunton Sands, Savoy Hotel, Silks Bistro, Sodexo, Sodexo at Eton College, Sodexo Prestige, Sonny’s Kitchen, Southampton City College, Southwold Pier, Boardwalk Restaurant, St Ermins Hotel, St Michael Manor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ston Easton Park, Strattons Hotel, Thackeray’s, The Ampersand Hotel, The Angel Inn at Hetton, The Auberge Restaurant, The Bell at Ramsbury, The Bull at Great Totham, The Butchers Shop Bar and Grill, The Chase Golf, Health Club & Spa, The Chequers of Orwell, The Chequers, Gedney Dyke, The Cinnamon Club, The Compleat Angler, The Design House Restaurant, The Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester Hotel, The Dove Restaurant, The Green Room Restaurant, The Harp Inn, The Honourable Society Of Lincoln’s Inn, The Hunter S, The Journeyman Restaurant, The Kitchen Table, The Ledbury Restaurant, the Little Mill Inn, The Manor at Weston on the Green, The Marquis of Westminster, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, The Millbrook Inn, The Montague Arms, The Mount Hotel, The National Café, Peyton and Byrne, The New Inn, The Nut Tree Inn, The Old Bank Hotel, The Old Mill, Berkhamstead, The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham, The Park Lane Hotel London, The Peasant, The Peat Inn, The Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Red Lion, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, The Sandrock, The Savoy, The Square, The Star Inn, The Swan Hotel, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Vine & Spice, The Wolseley, The Woodman Inn, TM Catering, Trump International Scotland, Turnberry Hotel, Turners Restaurant, University Centre, Riverside Restaurant, University of York, Vacherin, Vermilion Restaurant, West Bromwich Albion FC, Westminster Kingsway College, Whites Club, Winteringham Fields, Wright Brothers Oyster House, Wyck House Hotel & Spa, Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, York College…

Paper JudgingMay 2017

Expert judges receive the entry forms and convene to make their selection, ensuring all entries go through a rigorous process prior to being accepted as semi finalists.

Announcement of Semi FinalistsMay 2017

Announced to the industry through national and regional press, adverts, advertorial as well as an online and social media campaign.

Full industry reach - a content-led campaign with specific blogs appearing on the website as well as supported extensively through industry titles such as Caterer, Restaurant Magazine, Staff Canteen, Big Hospitality, Chef and many more.

PR Reach - 1,465,969 Social Media - 485 tweets with the hashtag #NCOTY, with 255 accounts tweets about it .

Semi FinalsJune 2017

Regional heats hosting 40 semi finalists. Sponsors are invited to meet all semi finalists, the judging team, visiting members of the Guild and media.

Direct engagement access to all semi finalists, with a PR Reach of 738,219 and Twitter reach of 676,307.

Mentor DaySeptember 2017

No other competition within the UK, at this level, includes such a highly motivational activity aimed at ensuring competitors are fully prepared for the task ahead.

The official launching of the mystery basket gives competitors the opportunity to engage with key competition mentors, judges, sponsors and effectively focus on all aspects of the final - preparing them for the process. All ingredients and products are on display for competitors to handle and ask any relevant questions. Sponsors are given the opportunity to present to all competitors (with the possibility of hosting a specific masterclass, if relevant to the product on the day).

Direct engagement access to all finalists for NCOTY & YNCOTY .

The FinalThe Restaurant Show – 3rd October 2017

As the industry’s leading trade show, attracting over 11,500 industry buyers, it is fitting that the live final should take place at The Restaurant Show. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the show, network with fellow colleagues, meet new and existing suppliers as well as experience the excitement of the intense cook-off where the finalists will compete in this highly charged atmosphere for the coveted National Chef of the Year title.

The Restaurant Show promotes the competition extensively within its own campaign, which has a visitor reach of over 1,1 million impressions and a Twitter account following of 9,000.

Announcement of the WinnersA prestigious Awards Ceremony to announce the winners, serving canapés and Champagne, will be hosted at The Stage, at The Restaurant Show from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday 3rd October. Attended by all competitors, sponsors, trade press, ambassador judges and key industry members. The event will be by invitation only to ensure a select and targeted audience.

Access to 200 industry professionals within the chefing community, by this invitation-only event hosted at The Restaurant Show announcing the winners. Key Media attendance and social media is at it’s high – the pinnacle of the competition.

PR Reach - 6,740,629 Social Media Reach - The #NCOTY and #YNCOTY hashtags had a reach of 1.3 million for the final.

VIP Awards Celebration

Following the Awards Announcement all finalists, sponsors, media and judges are invited to attend an exclusive VIP celebration at Fortnum & Mason, in Piccadilly to mark the new NCOTY & YNCOTY Winners. Mosimann’s, the House of Commons, Quo Vadis, The Square and Harrods Food Hall have all played host in recent years for this prestigious evening.

Access to 150 top industry professionals, exclusive networking evening.

Entrants from over 500 establishments have entered from the likes of... Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Amadeus, Angelus Restaurant, Aqua Shard, Artizian, Ashdown Park Hotel, Auberge du Lac, Automat, Elior, Balans Restaurant, Bateaux London, BaxtorStorey, Bedford Hotel, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Benares Restaurant and Bar, Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, Bill’s, Bone Daddies Ltd, Boulevard Events, Bovey Castle, Bowland Village Inns, Brasserie BlancLtd, Brend Hotels, Buddha Bar Knightsbridge, Butchershop Bar and Grill, Café Royal Hotel, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Cannizaro House, CH&co, Chewton Glen, Chez Amis, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise, Claytons Kitchen @ The Porter, Restaurant Associates, Colette’s Restaurant, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Copper Restaurant, Corinthia, Crewe Hall Hotels, Crown Moran Hotel, Cucina Restaurants, Culcreuch Castle Hotel, D&D Group/Plateau Restaurant, Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, De VereAcademy of Hospitality, Drakes Restaurant, Drapers Company, Drapers Hall, El Toro Grill, Elephant Restaurant, Elior UK, Ember Yard Tavern, Etrop Grange Hotel, Excel London, Levy, Restaurants UK, Fullers Smith and Turner PLC, Galvin at Windows, Galvin La Chapelle, Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Goodwood Hotel, Gordon Ramsay Holding, Grand Central Hotel Glasgow, Grassington House Hotel, Greene King, Guglee Restaurant, Gymkhana, Haileybury, Harbour & Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hell Bay Hotel,Heritage Portfolio, Hilton Hotels, Historic House Hotels, HM Forces (Army) Food Services Wing, Hotel de France, House of Commons, Hyatt Regency The Churchill Hotel, Intercontinental London Park Lane, J&G Global, Judges Country House Hotel, Karpo, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kitchen W8, La Trompette, Landmark Hotel London, Le Champignon Sauvage, Le Meridien Piccadilly, Lebowskis, Lexington Catering (Standard Bank), L’Horizon Beach & Hotel Spa, Lima, Little Italy, London House, Lucknam Park Hoteland Spa, Lusso Ch&Co, M&B Innovation Centre, Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Mallory Court Hotel, Malone Lodge Hotel, Mango Lounge, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Marriott Hotel, Maxim’s Casino, Merrill Lynch, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, Mint Hotel Bristol, Mirabella Restaurant, Montagu Arms Hotel, National Dining Rooms and National café, NEC, Birmingham, no 9 Church Street, Stratford Upon Avon, Paesan, Pearl Restaurant & Bar, Peyton and Byrne, Piano Kensington, Piquet Restaurant, PlateauRestaurant, Provenance Inns, Provenance Inns, Punchbowl Inn, RAF, Read’s Restaurant with Rooms, Restaurant Associates, Restaurant 23, Restaurant Adam Handling, Restaurant Chez Amis, Restaurant Marcus, Retro Bistro, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Rhubarb, Ribble Valley Inns, Rocksalt Restaurant, Roehampton Club, Rose and Crown Trent, Runnymede on Thames, Saffron, Sandringham Yacht Club, Saunton Sands, Savoy Hotel, Silks Bistro, Sodexo, Sodexo at Eton College, Sodexo Prestige, Sonny’sKitchen, Southampton City College, Southwold Pier, Boardwalk Restaurant, St Ermins Hotel, St Michael Manor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ston Easton Park, Strattons Hotel, Thackeray’s, The Ampersand Hotel, The Angel Inn at Hetton, The Auberge Restaurant, The Bell at Ramsbury, The Bull at Great Totham, The Butchers Shop Bar and Grill, The Chase Golf, Health Club & Spa, The Chequers of Orwell, The Chequers, Gedney Dyke, The Cinnamon Club, The Compleat Angler, The Design House Restaurant,The Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester Hotel, The Dove Restaurant, The Green Room Restaurant, The Harp Inn, The Honourable Society Of Lincoln’s Inn, The Hunter S, The Journeyman Restaurant, The Kitchen Table, The Ledbury Restaurant, the Little Mill Inn, The Manor at Weston on the Green, The Marquis of Westminster, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, The Millbrook Inn, The Montague Arms, The Mount Hotel, The National Café, Peyton and Byrne, The New Inn, The Nut Tree Inn, The Old Bank Hotel, The OldMill, Berkhamstead, The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham, The Park Lane Hotel London, The Peasant, The Peat Inn, The Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Red Lion, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, The Sandrock, The Savoy, The Square, The Star Inn, The Swan Hotel, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Vine & Spice, The Wolseley, The Woodman Inn, TM Catering, Trump International Scotland, Turnberry Hotel, Turners Restaurant, University Centre, Riverside Restaurant, University of York, Vacherin, Vermilion Restaurant, WestBromwich Albion FC, Westminster Kingsway College, Whites Club, Winteringham Fields, Wright Brothers Oyster House, Wyck House Hotel & Spa, Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, York College…

The Selection ProcessThe overall winners from the British Culinary Federation, the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Awards of Excellence, World Skills UK and the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Graduate Award are automatically seeded a place in the final.

The remaining six finalists will be revealed following the semi finals, to which 20 young chefs from recognised, industry competitions will be invited to compete. To get a place in the semi final young chefs must have already wowed the judges in one of these competitions or examinations over the last year:

• South West Young Chef of the Year

• The Master Chefs of Great Britain Young Chef of the Year

• Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Chef

• North West Chef of the Year

• Young Scottish Chef of the Year

• Young North East Chef of the Year

• Guernsey Young Chef of the Year

• Young Welsh Chef of the Year

• Young Grampian Chef of the Year

• UK Skills runner up

• Craft Guild of Chefs’ Graduate Award

Being crowned as Young National Chef of the Year is a highly sought after prize, but as well as going home with this prestigious accolade, the winner will also receive some incredible stagiaires and PR opportunities that will truly raise their profile in the industry.

This year’s winner will be revealed along with The National Chef of the Year at an awards ceremony following The Restaurant Show on Tuesday 3rd October 2017.

Our Winners…Current YNCOTY title holder, commenting on her achievement, Ruth Hansom, Commis Chef, The Ritz London said: “I can’t put into words how amazing it feels, I’m so happy to have won. I’ve come second in the past and knew that I really wanted to win this year.”

Danny Hoang, currently Line Cook at Momofuku Ko, New York and who took the title of YNCOTY in October 2015 agreed and added “Being seeded into the live final of the Young National Chef of the Year competition was an honour in itself but to go on to win it was more than I could ever have hoped. I loved every part of this competition and have had some incredible

opportunities since winning but there’s still plenty more to come.

If you are looking to get your name seen and heard, this is definitely a competition to be part of.”

Luke Selby, winner of Young National Chef of the Year 2014, and Sous Chef at Dabbous says, “Taking part in the competition was both challenging and rewarding and winning Young National Chef of the Year was the icing on the cake. I’ve learnt a lot and it certainly helped me grow in confidence as a chef. I’d definitely encourage my peers to take part.”

Ben Champkin, from The Elephant in Torquay was awarded Young National Chef of the Year 2013, on claiming the title he says, “Winning the Young National Chef of the Year was a career highlight, the experience of taking part is something that I’ll never forget and I’d recommend it to any chef serious about competitive cooking. It’s both a stepping stone to senior competitions and a great confidence boost.”

Charles Smith, was awarded Young National Chef of the Year 2012 and is currently Head Chef at Alyn Williams at The Westbury, London.

The Search for the UK’s Top Young Chef Talent is on!Young National Chef of the Year represents the most talented pool of young chefs in the UK, taking in the winners of accredited and recognised young chef competitions around the UK.

David Mulcahy, the Competition Director & Vice President of the Craft Guild of Chefs, says, “Young National Chef of the Year supersedes all other young chef contests as it brings together those identified as the best young chefs in the industry and gives them a platform on which to build their future careers. Not only does it celebrate young talent but it ensures that the young chefs are mentored and supported throughout, enabling them to achieve their best in the final. Winning Young National Chef of the Year firmly establishes a chef as a rising star of the culinary world both in the UK and beyond.”

Entrants from over 500 establishments have entered from the likes of... Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Amadeus, Angelus Restaurant, Aqua Shard, Artizian, Ashdown Park Hotel, Auberge du Lac, Automat, Elior, Balans Restaurant, Bateaux London, BaxtorStorey, Bedford Hotel, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Benares Restaurant and Bar, Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, Bill’s, Bone Daddies Ltd, Boulevard Events, Bovey Castle, Bowland Village Inns, Brasserie Blanc Ltd, Brend Hotels, Buddha Bar Knightsbridge, Butchershop Bar and Grill, Café Royal Hotel, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Cannizaro House, CH&co, Chewton Glen, Chez Amis, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise, Claytons Kitchen @ The Porter, Restaurant Associates, Colette’s Restaurant, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Copper Restaurant, Corinthia, Crewe Hall Hotels, Crown Moran Hotel, Cucina Restaurants, Culcreuch Castle Hotel, D&D Group/Plateau Restaurant, Dang’s Vietnamese Restaurant, De Vere Academy of Hospitality, Drakes Restaurant, Drapers Company, Drapers Hall, El Toro Grill, Elephant Restaurant, Elior UK, Ember Yard Tavern, Etrop Grange Hotel, Excel London, Levy, Restaurants UK, Fullers Smith and Turner PLC, Galvin at Windows, Galvin La Chapelle, Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Goodwood Hotel, Gordon Ramsay Holding, Grand Central Hotel Glasgow, Grassington House Hotel, Greene King, Guglee Restaurant, Gymkhana, Haileybury, Harbour & Jones, Harvey Nichols, Hell Bay Hotel, Heritage Portfolio, Hilton Hotels, Historic House Hotels, HM Forces (Army) Food Services Wing, Hotel de France, House of Commons, Hyatt Regency The Churchill Hotel, Intercontinental London Park Lane, J&G Global, Judges Country House Hotel, Karpo, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kitchen W8, La Trompette, Landmark Hotel London, Le Champignon Sauvage, Le Meridien Piccadilly, Lebowskis, Lexington Catering (Standard Bank), L’Horizon Beach & Hotel Spa, Lima, Little Italy, London House, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Lusso Ch&Co, M&B Innovation Centre, Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Mallory Court Hotel, Malone Lodge Hotel, Mango Lounge, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Marriott Hotel, Maxim’s Casino, Merrill Lynch, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa, Mint Hotel Bristol, Mirabella Restaurant, Montagu Arms Hotel, National Dining Rooms and National café, NEC, Birmingham, no 9 Church Street, Stratford Upon Avon, Paesan, Pearl Restaurant & Bar, Peyton and Byrne, Piano Kensington, Piquet Restaurant, Plateau Restaurant, Provenance Inns, Provenance Inns, Punchbowl Inn, RAF, Read’s Restaurant with Rooms, Restaurant Associates, Restaurant 23, Restaurant Adam Handling, Restaurant Chez Amis, Restaurant Marcus, Retro Bistro, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Rhubarb, Ribble Valley Inns, Rocksalt Restaurant, Roehampton Club, Rose and Crown Trent, Runnymede on Thames, Saffron, Sandringham Yacht Club, Saunton Sands, Savoy Hotel, Silks Bistro, Sodexo, Sodexo at Eton College, Sodexo Prestige, Sonny’s Kitchen, Southampton City College, Southwold Pier, Boardwalk Restaurant, St Ermins Hotel, St Michael Manor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Ston Easton Park, Strattons Hotel, Thackeray’s, The Ampersand Hotel, The Angel Inn at Hetton, The Auberge Restaurant, The Bell at Ramsbury, The Bull at Great Totham, The Butchers Shop Bar and Grill, The Chase Golf, Health Club & Spa, The Chequers of Orwell, The Chequers, Gedney Dyke, The Cinnamon Club, The Compleat Angler, The Design House Restaurant, The Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester Hotel, The Dove Restaurant, The Green Room Restaurant, The Harp Inn, The Honourable Society Of Lincoln’s Inn, The Hunter S, The Journeyman Restaurant, The Kitchen Table, The Ledbury Restaurant, the Little Mill Inn, The Manor at Weston on the Green, The Marquis of Westminster, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, The Millbrook Inn, The Montague Arms, The Mount Hotel, The National Café, Peyton and Byrne, The New Inn, The Nut Tree Inn, The Old Bank Hotel, The Old Mill, Berkhamstead, The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham, The Park Lane Hotel London, The Peasant, The Peat Inn, The Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Red Lion, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, The Sandrock, The Savoy, The Square, The Star Inn, The Swan Hotel, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Vine & Spice, The Wolseley, The Woodman Inn, TM Catering, Trump International Scotland, Turnberry Hotel, Turners Restaurant, University Centre, Riverside Restaurant, University of York, Vacherin, Vermilion Restaurant, West Bromwich Albion FC, Westminster Kingsway College, Whites Club, Winteringham Fields, Wright Brothers Oyster House, Wyck House Hotel & Spa, Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, York College…

What our sponsors say“For us, sponsorship involves far more than just putting a logo on a chef’s jacket or getting a sample into their hands. We know our work goes beyond providing great products. That’s why we believe in giving something back and doing our bit for an industry we’re passionate about. It’s about the effort you put in, to recognise talented young chefs and those already at the top of their game. We’re delighted to sponsor the event again this year and look forward to the heats and finals and meeting the people who make our industry special.”

Peter Dahl, Marketing Director, Unilever Food Solutions

“Churchill is once again incredibly proud to support both the NCOTY & YNCOTY competitions. It really is the UK’s most prestigious culinary competition and we are delighted to support the work that goes into making it so great. We have always enjoyed and benefited from the innovative approach to sponsors by the organisers, to ‘get involved’ as much as possible with the different elements of the competition. This approach has led us to be much more creative in our outlook, looking to engage a wider audience externally, whilst increasing the number of touch-points with finalists 4-fold and building relationships not only with the competitors but organisers, supporters and a fabulous set of co-sponsors.”

Sharon Heap, Marketing Director, Churchill

“We’re extremely proud to work in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs to provide all National Chef of the Year competitors and judges with our professional chefwear. It’s humbling to see talented chefs, aspiring and established, wearing the CCS badge on their jackets with pride. This competition provides a platform like no other for sponsors and chefs alike to develop a greater presence through their passion of the foodservice and hospitality industry, and it’s an honour to once again be involved in this competition.”

Antony Ward, Marketing Manager, CCS

“We have been delighted to be involved in The National Chef of the Year as a sponsor. The running and organising of the event are fantastic and the opportunity to support and meet the talented chefs who enter the competition has been invaluable to our business. We can’t wait to do it all again next time.”

Alex Shannon, Managing Director, Sous Vide Tools

Ambassadors“It’s great to have so many fantastic chefs entering and whilst we’ve had some fantastic finals, 2015 was exceptionally high in standard and I think this really was the best ever. I want to encourage chefs from all sectors to take part as it is a great platform to get your name out there.”

Clare Smyth MBE, 2015 & 2016 Chairman of Judges and former Chef Patron at three Michelin-starred Restaurant, Gordon Ramsay

“The Craft Guild has put together an exemplary competition, which progresses with the times and requires truly talented chefs to enter in order to do it justice. For those who do, the rewards are immense.”

Philip Howard, 2013 & 2014 Chairman of Judges & former proprietor of the two Michelin-starred The Square Restaurant and now the owner of Elystan Street, Chelsea

“The Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition has yielded winners which include some of the UK’s leading chefs over its 40 year history. As a sponsor you are demonstrating your commitment to the sustainable future of the most prestigious and sought after competition title in the UK today.”

David Mulcahy, Competition Director & Vice President, Craft Guild of Chefs

“I am privileged to be the Chair of Judges for NCOTY. It’s a competition that has been won by so many talented chefs, has an incredible panel of judges, and receives fantastic support from media, sponsors and partners. I’ll be working with the Craft Guild of Chefs to find new and exciting ways to drive this event forward, whilst ensuring that culinary skills continue to be at the heart of every stage of the competition. It’s this skills focus which make the NCOTY title so credible, and one that so many chefs across the UK aspire to win.”

Gary Jones, Executive Head Chef, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons & 2017 Chairman of Judges

“It’s always an absolute pleasure to be involved with YNCOTY and to witness the competition go from strength to strength. Each year the standards get higher and I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent this year’s competition brings.”

Mark Sargeant, Young National Chef of the Year Ambassador, Chef Patron of Rocksalt & the Smokehouse in Folkestone

Contact the team…For further information, please contact 01293 610 329 clair.bowman@wrbm.com

Follow us at Craft_Guild, #NCOTY, #YNCOTY www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk

JudgesA judging panel of over 40 respected chefs within the industry are selected for all elements of the competition from paper judging to semi finals and the final.

Judging panels over the past few years have included the likes of Philip Howard, Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar, Andrew Pern, Cyrus Todiwala, Angela Hartnett, Mark Sargeant, Frederick Forster, Sat Bains, Daniel Clifford, John Campbell, Monica Galetti, Vivek Singh, Bruce Poole, Simon Hulstone, Paul Ainsworth, Gary Jones, Graham Hornigold, Dan Doherty, Andrew Fairlie, Daniel Galmiche, Andrew Pern, Stephen Terry, Lee Westcott, Jonny Lake, Graham Hornigold, Benoit Blin, Paul Gayler, Gary Hunter, Henry Harris, Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton, Marcus Wareing, Julie Walsh, Hideko Kawa, Brett Graham, Bruce Poole, Lisa Goodwin-Allen amongst others.

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